United Methodist Church

John Wesley (1703 - 1791)

History

For over 220 years the United Methodist Church in Pleasantville has served its community with its prayers, its gifts, its presence and its service. But, the relationship has been two-way - the Pleasantville community - even those with no affiliation with the church - have consistently and repeatedly supported our church. Since 1986, non-members have recognized PUMC as the church with the "Christmas Tree Sale." But we are about so much more than just Christmas Trees - We invite you to come see for yourself.

The History of our church here in Pleasantville began in the 1780's when a lone circuit rider, traveling on horseback, established a Methodist Society at the home of Jesse Baker on Bear Ridge Road. Those early Methodist were a very serious group, abstaining from alcohol and gambling and extolling the virtues of Scripture, Experience, Reason and Tradition. Public confession was a regular feature at these meetings and admission to the Society was by invitation.

The very first Methodist Meeting House was built on Broadway. Then, in 1852, a large white church, similar to many we see in New England today, was built on Broadway and Church Street. The early meeting house was moved in sections across the street and became the parsonage. This building is still standing today!

 

With the advent of the railroad, Pleasantville's growth moved west, away form the old village. In 1887, about half the congregation and the minister left the Broadway church (First Methodist Church) and built the West Pleasantville Methodist Episcopal Church (later renamed the Central M.E. Church in 1911) on Bedford Road, across from the present Presbyterian Church. The other half of the congregation refused to relocate; in part because there were saloons in the vicinity of the train station.

The split between the two congregations lasted for approximately 70 years. Throughout those years, several futile attempts were made to reunite them. Finally, mother nature accomplished what people could not: the blizzard of December 27, 1947, dumped enough snow on the roof of the First Methodist Church of Pleasantville to cause it to collapse. At last, the two churches merged to form the Methodist Church of Pleasantville. Since Central Methodist was too small to accommodate both congregations, it was raised and funds were gathered in 1961 for the construction of our present building. The architect is was own member, Kenneth Gibbons.

Since 1986, the Pleasantville United Methodist Church has been noted throughout northern Westchester County for its annual Christmas Tree Sale. In recent years, the sale has supported both our church as well as the St. John's Episcopal Church, as well as numerous local civic organizations such as the Boy Scout, the Appalachian Service Project (ASP) and several area sports organizations.

With the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren in 1968, the name of he church became the United Methodist Church in Pleasantville. If you are a newcomer to the community or to this fellowship, we welcome you and invite you to join us as we celebrate over two centuries of worship and service to the Lord!