Since part of the format of this paper is to look back into history, I decided to show some of the history of the United Methodist Church in Broad Ripple.

Methodism in America was a frontier ministry. As America grew, so did the church. Churches would be started anywhere people gathered, and Indianapolis was no different. The intention was to plant a church every two miles, and that mission was accomplished.

A Methodist church was organized in Broad Ripple in 1852. For a time, Methodists shared a building located where the present fire station stands at 6330 Guilford. Presbyterians and Baptists worshipped in the same structure. The Reverend Frank Hardin served as the first pastor of what became known as the Broad Ripple Methodist Episcopal church. By March of 1855, more than 200 members were listed.

The church was part of a circuit of seven other churches. In 1861 the circuit moved from the South-East Indiana conference and became the Castleton circuit of the North Indiana conference. Ten Sunday schools were operated, as were eight catechetical classes. Pastoral support at that time was $400.

Pastors and circuit riders many times were not married and would stay in homes of their parishioners. It was not a glamorous life, and many died at a very young age. As with the course of history, many good men with faith and vision sacrificed for those who were to come after. May we be worthy of continuing the mission of the God who worked through those men and women.