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The
first Methodist church in Anaheim was built on South Philadelphia St. and was
dedicated on September 29, 1880. The small white church was 26 feet wide
and 52 feet long with an impressive steeple. This church, known as the Anaheim Methodist Episcopal
Church, served the community from this location until 1916.
Having
outgrown the little church, construction of a larger one began on the corner of
Philadelphia and Broadway. The First Methodist Episcopal Church of
Anaheim was dedicated April 11, 1920. The church was also well known as
White Temple Methodist Episcopal Church, so named in honor of Rev. Harry White.
First Methodist Episcopal Church (White Temple)
One
of the great memories of White Temple was the carillon chimes that sang out
over the town at 5:00 p.m. every day, and on Sunday mornings - a tradition that continues at AUMC
today.
A
large Fellowship Hall was built in 1953.
It was named Wagner Hall in honor of William Wagner, the father of
Muriel Lenz. The sanctuary was
remodeled in 1954. For weeks before Christmas, youth and adults would work together to bake fresh Fruitcakes in the Wagner Hall kitchen. These fruitcakes were sold by youth, raising funds for activities and service throughout the year.
In
1926, White Temple divided over local political issues. A new
congregation was formed and called the People’s Church. A church was
built at 630 N. Los Angeles St. (now Anaheim Bl.) The Rev. Harold L.
Thatcher served as the first minister.
In 1930, Peoples Church was renamed Wesley Methodist Episcopal. In
1959, the Wesley congregation purchased a church facility at Romneya and Acacia
in Anaheim, and became known as East Anaheim United Methodist Church.
Meanwhile over the years, White Temple changed names to become First Methodist
Church of Anaheim, and later First United Methodist Church of Anaheim.
   Peoples Church and Wesley Methodist Church
In
1968, First United Methodist and East Anaheim United Methodist developed a plan
to reunite. On December 14, 1969, that joyous union took place. A family who were long-time members donated nine
acres of property at Wagner Ave. and State College Blvd. for a new facility. In 1971 the combined congregations, now
known as the Anaheim United Methodist Church, began worshiping at Katella High
School. The united congregation met at the school for two years while our new campus was under construction next to the school at the new church site.
On
Palm Sunday, April 15, 1973, our present sanctuary and church facility was
dedicated. The campus included several classrooms and meeting rooms.
A new Fellowship Hall center was added in 1981, which provided a large social
hall, state-of-the-art kitchen facilities, church offices, a library, and
meeting rooms.
  
Anaheim United Methodist Church
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