About Us: History
 
ABOUT FIRST UMC OF ORANGE

History

Locally, our history begins with the Methodist Episcopal Society of Orange County in 1873. The First United Methodist Church of Orange sits, today, on property donated by Captain Henry Glassell in 1875. We were the first Methodist church to be commissioned in Orange County, California, and the first church of any denomination to be erected in what is now the city of Orange, California (then Richland, California). Today, we are the First United Methodist Church of Orange (FUMCO).

 
First Methodist Episcopal Church of Orange, circa 1888
 
FUMCO, today

 

Congregational Statement

We, the First United Methodist Church of Orange, respond to God's love by striving to become a Christ-centered community of believers. Our intent in ministry is to: be dedicated to personal and spiritual growth; share the Word and love of God in the local community and throughout the world; put our Faith into practice in our daily lives by our prayers, presence, gifts, and service.

Vision Statements

We affirm FUMCO's ministry in the downtown area and our present location. We want to maximize our activities for growth and develop programs that are designed to meet the spiritual needs of people within our parish area.
We want to be a congregation which 1) is educated and versed in scripture, 2) is dedicated to the power of prayer, and 3) is encouraged to bear personal witness.
We want to be a congregation committed to Nurture including (but not limited to) the Future Teachers for Christ program; Visitation program for shut-ins; Fellowship Friends for new members; Confirmation class “Sponsors”; an all-ages activities & events program; and a commitment to Scouting.
We want to have programs that spread the Gospel into our parish area.
We want to have programs for the community that address the social needs, concerns, and issues that affect our parish area.
We want to have an Academy that offers vocal and instrumental music lessons.
We want to have a childcare center program.