A Brief History of
Wesley United Methodist Church

Wesley United Methodist Church began in 1965 as a mission church extension from the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City.  The first pastor, Rev. Charles Millner, tirelessly went door to door seeking new members to form this new congregation.

A Commissioning Service was held on January 9, 1966.  Bishop Eugene Frank was on hand to receive 58 charter members.  In November of that same year the name "Wesley United Methodist Church" was adopted, giving the fledgling congregation an inspiring identity.

The current property of 5.2 acres at the corner of Highway 179 and Wesley Street was acquired in August 1967.  Ground breaking occurred in October.  The original building would later become the hub of the larger building complex.  The sanctuary housed its first worship service on June 2, 1968 and was later consecrated on September 29 in a service officiated by Bishop Frank.

Once Wesley had its own facility, growth of the congregation began to pick up significantly.  The United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF) was chartered in 1968.  One of the charter members of the youth group was a young man by the name of Jeff Treese.  Today Jeff, the father of three, is one of our adult youth leaders for the Senior High UMYF.

A second worship service was added in 1970.

Wesley had a prison ministry in the early 1970's.  By 1974 eighteen church members were active in this outreach.

The Wesley church family has always had a heart for mission and helping others.  In 1972 church members delivered the first Meals on Wheels meal in Jefferson City.  March of that year saw the ground breaking for an Educational Wing on the north side of the building.  It was completed by September.

In the late 1970's the church went back to one worship service on Sunday mornings.  However, later growth of the congregation would lead the congregation to reinstate the second worship service in 1984.

It became clear that more space was still needed.  New offices and a larger worship area were planned and built during the pastorate of Rev. Geoff Posegate.  The current sanctuary was completed in July 1988.  The former worship area was converted into a fellowship hall which is still used today.

In 1980 the women's group of the church began a five year commitment to support Agape House in Jefferson City.  Today, the Wesley U.M.C. continues to provide assistance to this ministry for the families of prison inmates.

"Hump Day" dinners on Wednesday nights began in 1989.  They eventually evolved into what we now call the WOW meals.  Today, Wednesday nights at Wesley include not only a meal but also activities and classes for children, youth, and adults.  The evening concludes with a contemporary worship service at 7:00 p.m.

Our most recent building project spanned 2000 to 2001.  It included a second education wing, church library, new secretary's office, remodeling of the fellowship hall, and the conversion of a classroom into a commercial kitchen.

A lot can be said about the vitality and spiritual health of a church by the spiritual leadership it produces.  By 1999 Wesley U.M.C. had already recommended ten individuals for pastoral ministry.  Susan Wopata became a missionary for our church and served for two year in the Henderson Settlement in Kentucky.

The history the Wesley Church is a good example of what the United Methodist Church is all about.  It is a fruitful blending of strong lay leadership and the loving assistance of clergy who have sought to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the world.  Ours is a church where everyone is welcome; a place where love is not just a word, but a blessing we share and experience every day.  Under the guidance of God, our church family continues to grow and reach out to the world in ways that embody the message of our Lord and Savior.  To Him be the glory.