Our Mission
Worship, Teach, Love, Reach – – – to make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
What We Believe
The United Methodist Church is a 12.3-million-strong global church that opens hearts, opens minds and open doors through active engagement with our world.
John Wesley and the early Methodists placed primary emphasis on Christian living, on putting faith and love into action. This emphasis on what Wesley referred to as “practical divinity” has continued to be a hallmark of United Methodism today.
We invite you to learn more about our rich theological heritage by visiting the United Methodist’s Website.
Our Ministry Leaders
Our History
Early History:
The first Methodist Episcopal Church in Adams County was organized at Juniata in April 1872. Adams County was, at that time, part of the Beatrice District. R.H. Crane, the first minister, held services in a rented building which was also used as a temporary school.
Juniata became the center of a circuit that extended over Adams, Clay, Kearney and Hamilton counties. In the spring of 1873, the Annual Conference dropped Clay, Hamilton and Kearney counties from the Juniata Circuit giving it full responsibility for Adams County. The circuit included Epworth Chapel, Mount Pleasant and Mount Hope, all of which were located in the townships around Juniata.
The Church Building:
In July 1873, a church building was started and then completed in 1875. As the population of thriving Juniata increased so did the membership of the church and an addition was built in 1907. At this time the bell tower was remodeled. In 1916 a basement was added.
Improvements were made over the years and in the early 1970s major renovations included lifting the church to extend the basement walls, add restrooms, and install two new furnaces. The sanctuary and fellowship hall were remodeled.
Our Church Today:
After many years of thinking and planning, Juniata UMC realized a dream when they added a beautiful addition to the existing structure. Bishop Scott J. Jones dedicated the finished project in July of 2013. The new addition includes four ADA restrooms, a lift to access the basement, large welcoming narthex, an office, mechanical room and storage space. The storage space has a specially reinforced ceiling which provides additional safety for the area to be used for a disaster shelter for Juniata residents who live in structures that would not be safe during tornadoes or high straight-line winds. The church is also registered as a Red Cross Disaster Shelter. In 2016 new stained-glass windows were added to the sanctuary and front stairwell.
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