Pastor Dave and Pam Cooper

History of the Woodstock Free Methodist Church

On October 19, 1891 the Woodstock Class was first organized into an independent church group. This charter meeting was held in the home of Mrs. Fannie Thompson.

In 1892 a brick church was constructed as a place of worship on the corner of East Judd and Jefferson Streets. The first minister appointed to the new church was the Rev. Peter Newcomer.

A new church was built in 1904 on the corner of McHenry and Seminary Avenues (“Six Corners”). It was here that the church made its contribution as the “Church at the Crossroads.” The site was chosen to minister to the residents of the Children’s Home and Sunset Manor (now known as Hearthstone Manor). There is no direct affiliation between the Homes and the local Free Methodist Church at this time.

Rev. Eustice Kirkpatrick was appointed pastor in 1956. The church launched a campaign to purchase property just north of Sunset Manor on Seminary Avenue--its present-day location..

In 1958 construction on the new church began. The society had outgrown its present location, two worship services were held on Sunday mornings, eight regular Sunday school classes were held in private homes, and membership had grown considerably. The new church was dedicated on November 22, 1959. The construction of the Christian education wing to the north of the church was completed in 1966.