First United Methodist Church celebrating 150th anniversary throughout year, main event in September

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Mount Pleasant resident Joyce Pridgeon has been through decades of change at First United Methodist Church.

“There’s a lot of history in our church,” said Pridgeon, a church member for 48 years. “We love the history of Mount Pleasant.”

First United, which is celebrating its 150th year throughout 2011, has an active committee working to plan events.

It is celebrating 50 years at its 400 S. Main St. location, said Loren Anderson, sesquicentennial chairwoman and church historian.

First United was at two previous locations in its 150 years and has maintained a deep connection with Central Michigan University, Anderson said.

The main event will take place Sept. 24 and 25.

“We will be having special music and inviting back former pastors and associate pastors,” Anderson said.

First United is also affiliated with the Wesley Foundation on campus.

Anderson described the church as a “melting pot” and said it has always been a church that studies and learns. She said the church is concerned with spiritual growth and nurturing.

Mount Pleasant resident Ginger Kjolhede, a member since 1956, reflected on one of her favorite memories at the First United.

“The kids in the choir wore robes … we used to climb up the stairs with our ironing boards and irons and we pressed the red bows,” she said. “When they would sing, those bows would be askew; it didn’t matter that we did that.”

Anderson said First United also has a non-denominational ministry where the public can meet one-on-one with individuals if they are having a hard time.

“We are community-oriented and plan to continue that,” Anderson said. “We are continuing to expand.”