The Wesleyan Movement - to United Methodism
In the early 1700's, the Rev. John Wesley began a renewal and revival movment within the Church of England. The effects of that movement have been felt world-wide and given birth to many different "Wesleyan" Groups and Denominations.
The United Methodist Church is both the oldest and the largest of these groups. Please read all about it's history and impact on the world found here.
The Beginnings of the Orangethorpe UMC
In the Spring of 1955, the predecessor of the California-Pacific Annual Conference invested in the future and purchased land that had on it:
a big white house with lots of gingerbread trim,
plus a former filling station,
a water tower,
a dilapidated dairy barn
and a sweet potato patch
all near the corner of Orangethorpe and Magnolia Avenues in west Fullerton.
In June of that year, a small group of faithful Christians were called together by the newly appointed Rev. Frank Finkbiner in the living room of that big old house to pray about the planting of a new congregation in the Methodist tradition. (The second floor had been condemned by the Fire Department!)
When the first worship services where held in the drafty barn a couple of months later, 50 people showed up and after worship they all had a picnic.
"We had to have a picnic because we were so broke. I took up the first collection - in a wastepaper basket, and the wind was so bad we nearly lost a $10 bill." - Will Lindsey.
By the 13th day in November, when the church was officially chartered, there were 140 in worship and 115 of them made a 'Profession of Faith' and joined together as the initial congregation of our church.
Official "Charter Memberships" were accepted for the next four and 1/2 months and by April 1, 1956, 180 people had proclaimed their faith in Jesus Christ and became the "Founding Fathers and Mothers" of the Orangethorpe MC.
The church grew rapidly and by December, 1955, another worship service and Sunday School was added along with adult classes. Groundbreaking for what is now our chapel was held Nov. 4, 1956 that would hold 200 people and included the educational facilities to house a preschool.
With lots and lots of volunteer help, the new buildings were completed and consecrated on May 12, 1957 leading to a 55% rise in church membership by May, 1958 and a doubling of Church School attendance.
Three Sunday services were needed to give everyone a chance to worship and give thanks for all that God was doing in their midst. The new church was outgrown within a year for extra seats soon had to be set up in the Narthex/lobby to handle to extra worshippers.
