Celebrating 150 Years
Welcome to the ministry and mission of University United Methodist Church during the past 150 years. Here you will find a collection of historical information ranging from articles and photography to video and audio productions.
From the Beginning
Shortly after the Civil War, in the days before automobiles, First Methodist Episcopal Church (later it would become First United Methodist) began several satellite missions to meet the worship needs of people living in the outlying regions of Syracuse. One such satellite was the Dempster Mission which began conducting services in 1868 on the city’s near east side. The mission was named after the Rev. John Dempster, an instrumental figure in Methodism in central New York. He also participated in the founding of Boston, Drew and Garrett theological seminaries.
On June 8, 1869, the growing Dempster Mission became Dempster Methodist Episcopal Church and was located at the corner of South Crouse Avenue and East Fayette Street. Eventually a new building was constructed on the on the current University Avenue site. Ironically, major funding for the building was provided by Eliaphet and Philo Remington, Ilion NY, who also used the profits of their gun manufacturing business to support Syracuse University. The cornerstone to the new Dempster Church was laid on August 31, 1871 – the same day that the cornerstone was laid for Syracuse University’s Hall of Languages. On September 10, 1872, Dempster Church was renamed University Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church.
The first service was help in the basement on Sunday, April 28, 1872. Rev. Daniel Steele, D.D., vice president of the Syracuse University preached from Luke 24:27.
The dedication of the church occurred on the twelfth of December of the same year. Bishop Matthew Simpson preached one of his transcendent sermons. The text was from Hebrews 9:4. Bishop Peck preached in the evening from John 1:4. The church is valued at $60,000. (2020 value $1,267,854). Its seating capacity is 1200.
Fire Strikes
During a period of 35 years until 1906, the church had grown to where the original building was no longer adequate. By 1909, the governing body had authorized the construction of not a new building but a $30,000 chapel at the rear of the church to house the Sunday School. By 1911, the new chapel was ready for dedication. The congregation enjoyed three years’ use of the expanded facility because during bitter weather in February 1914, a fire raged through the building, ruining the older part and seriously damaging the new.
In the despair of the hour, the churchless congregation found solace in a flood of offers to provide a meeting place. The only problem was which invitation to accept — that of Syracuse University, or Park Presbyterian Church or Erwin Methodist Episcopal, Calvary Baptist or Plymouth Congregational.
In the end, the official board declined all of these offers with thanks in favor of a still more touching expression of brotherhood from the Temple Society of Concord.
For the next nine months, University Methodists worshipped in the Jewish synagogue at the corner of University Avenue and Madison Street. The host congregation refused to accept a cent of money — even for light and heat. The work to begin rebuilding was delayed by World War I, but finally completely in May 1921, and the new building was formally dedicated on June 8, 1921. The stained-glass windows in the church were designed by two Syracuse University professors and crafted by William J. Pike Stained Glass Company of Rochester.
University United Methodist Names | 1868 – 1921
Simpson Charge | 1868 – 1870
Dempster Charge (Mission) | 1870 – 1872
University Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church | 1872 – 1914
University Methodist Episcopal Church | 1914 –