Our History
A New Chapter
In 2023, Lexington First entered a new chapter by moving into a new church building at 514 S. Pine Street.
The building may have changed, but the story continues.
We are grateful for the generations whose faithfulness brought us to this moment, and we believe God is still at work. As we honor where we've been, we look forward with hope to what God will do through Lexington First in Lexington and in the generations still to come.
Rooted in Lexington. Looking to the Future.
The story of Lexington First United Methodist Church stretches back nearly two centuries, beginning alongside some of the earliest communities in McLean County.
In the 1830s, Methodist circuit riders traveled throughout the area, preaching the gospel and gathering people into Christian community. By 1845, the growing Methodist community had built its first church house, becoming one of the earliest organized church bodies in McLean County.
Growing with the Community
As Lexington grew, so did the church. In 1855, the congregation built a larger church on Cedar Street in Lexington. Then, in 1881, a brick sanctuary was constructed that would serve generations of worshipers.
Over the decades, the congregation continued adapting its space for ministry. Classrooms, a pipe organ, fellowship areas, and other improvements were added as new generations found a spiritual home at Lexington First.
Through changing times, one thing remained constant: generations of people gathered to worship God, grow in faith, care for one another, and serve their community.
