A Brief History of Immanuel United Methodist Church
Immanuel UMC celebrates 50 years of ministry in 2017!
Click here to visit our 50 year celebration page for more information.
Click here to visit our 50 year celebration page for more information.
In the early 1960's the Town of Camillus was growing rapidly, as was the congregation of The First Methodist Church in the Village of Camillus. The two Sunday services were overflowing and there was inadequate room for all the Sunday school children. There was no room at the site to expand the 100-year-old building. Several options were considered, including moving to a larger location or splitting into separate congregations. It was decided to split.
On October 23, 1966, District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Donald Wright and Bishop Ralph Ward met with the congregation and a new church, Immanuel United Methodist Church, “Church of the Bells” was formed. Rev. “Eli” Whitney was its first pastor.(The “United” was added in April 1968 with the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church.)
The present site on Kasson Road was purchased. On August 26, 1967, Bishop Ward presided at the ground breaking ceremony for construction of the Sunday school wing including the Fireside Room. The first worship service was held in what is now Fellowship Hall, on May 19, 1968, and the church was consecrated two weeks later.
The bells for the bell tower were collected from various churches throughout the Central New York area and the bell tower was dedicated in June 1972.
The congregation continued to meet in Fellowship Hall and to prosper. On May 19, 1988 a mortgage burning ceremony was held. Once again more space was needed and plans were started to build a “real” sanctuary. In 1993 a building committee was formed and a design selected. After a successful fund drive in the spring of 1995, construction of the sanctuary, nursery and new offices was begun. On July 30, 1995, District Superintendent Robert Stoppert and Pastor Wendy Rhodehamel officiated at the ground breaking ceremony. Construction was completed in time for Christmas Eve on December 24, 1995. The Consecration celebration with Bishop Hae-Jong Kim was January 7, 1996.
Building the new sanctuary spurred a growth spurt in the church’s membership and worship attendance that continues to this day. By the grace of God, Immanuel has become one of the most active churches on the western edge of Syracuse and one of the leading United Methodist churches in the region-not because of its size alone, but for the spirit, vision, generosity and compassion of its members. Now, well into the 21st century, Immanuel will soon celebrate its 48th birthday. The church is poised for exciting new ventures in youth and family life, interracial and interfaith partnerships, creative worship, and outreach stretching from Camillus to Syracuse to the other side of the world.
On October 23, 1966, District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Donald Wright and Bishop Ralph Ward met with the congregation and a new church, Immanuel United Methodist Church, “Church of the Bells” was formed. Rev. “Eli” Whitney was its first pastor.(The “United” was added in April 1968 with the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church.)
The present site on Kasson Road was purchased. On August 26, 1967, Bishop Ward presided at the ground breaking ceremony for construction of the Sunday school wing including the Fireside Room. The first worship service was held in what is now Fellowship Hall, on May 19, 1968, and the church was consecrated two weeks later.
The bells for the bell tower were collected from various churches throughout the Central New York area and the bell tower was dedicated in June 1972.
The congregation continued to meet in Fellowship Hall and to prosper. On May 19, 1988 a mortgage burning ceremony was held. Once again more space was needed and plans were started to build a “real” sanctuary. In 1993 a building committee was formed and a design selected. After a successful fund drive in the spring of 1995, construction of the sanctuary, nursery and new offices was begun. On July 30, 1995, District Superintendent Robert Stoppert and Pastor Wendy Rhodehamel officiated at the ground breaking ceremony. Construction was completed in time for Christmas Eve on December 24, 1995. The Consecration celebration with Bishop Hae-Jong Kim was January 7, 1996.
Building the new sanctuary spurred a growth spurt in the church’s membership and worship attendance that continues to this day. By the grace of God, Immanuel has become one of the most active churches on the western edge of Syracuse and one of the leading United Methodist churches in the region-not because of its size alone, but for the spirit, vision, generosity and compassion of its members. Now, well into the 21st century, Immanuel will soon celebrate its 48th birthday. The church is poised for exciting new ventures in youth and family life, interracial and interfaith partnerships, creative worship, and outreach stretching from Camillus to Syracuse to the other side of the world.