ABOUT US
HISTORY
Elsie United Methodist Church traces its roots to the early Methodist gatherings in the North East Duplain settlement, where the congregation commemorated the 90th anniversary of its first recorded religious service in 1934—placing those beginnings in the 1840s. The church’s present home on West Main Street dates to the early 1880s (local historical notes list 1880, and a 1934 program marked the 50th anniversary of the then-“present church building”). Across the decades, Elsie UMC worshiped, served, and adapted alongside the village—at times yoked with neighboring congregations (including Salem and later Ovid), while welcoming a line of devoted pastors who helped sustain ministry in the community. Today, the congregation continues that long witness of Wesleyan faith—rooted in Scripture and grace, and active in the life of Elsie.
VALUES
As part of the United Methodist Church, we believe in living out God’s love through faith, grace, and service. Our mission is to follow Christ’s example by loving our neighbors, welcoming all people, and working together to make the world a better place. We value open hearts, open minds, and open doors — embracing people from every walk of life as we seek to grow in faith, deepen our understanding, and serve our community. Guided by Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience, we strive to be a church that reflects God’s love through compassion, justice, and hope for all.
VISION
Our vision is to be a church where faith comes alive — where hearts are transformed by God’s love and lives are changed through service, prayer, and community. We strive to reflect Christ in all that we do, offering hope to the hurting, friendship to the lonely, and purpose to those seeking a deeper connection with God. As part of the wider United Methodist family, we seek to grow disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, starting right here in Elsie. Through worship, outreach, and fellowship, we envision a community united by compassion, strengthened by grace, and inspired to serve.