After the area that became Erin was settled in 1799, worship was initially held in private homes. The first service at which an ordained pastor preached was held on the Brigham Farm north of Erin in 1812. The first building constructed for worship was erected in the 1830s and it housed a "Union Church" that served all denominations. In 1877, the Trustees of the Erin Methodist Episcopal Church, South purchased the land at the corner of Spring and Walnut Streets. In 1879 the Reverend J.H. Garrett was appointed as the first Methodist pastor to Erin. The first sanctuary for the Methodist Episcopal Church South was built in 1884-85 on the present site. Construction of the current sanctuary commenced in 1897, and it was dedicated in 1899.
A few classrooms were built in 1927. In the early 1940's, the Erin Methodist Church sponsored the first chartered Boy Scout Troop. This was not only the first in Erin, it was also the first in the district. A new parsonage was also built during this time period. Between 1950 and 1952, the Wesleyan Service Guild purchased a new organ for the church and the Memorial Annex was added, consisting of a fellowship hall, kitchen, and three classrooms. An educational wing was added in 1961 which included a small chapel with stained glass windows, a pastor's study, library, nursery, restrooms and six classrooms.
Over the years the building has been used for high school graduations, family reunions, large weddings, and funerals. Before the construction of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, the Catholic congregants celebrated Mass at Erin UMC for a period of time. The church housed Erin United Methodist Church Preschool from 1992 until the addition of preschool to the public school system. The Erin United Methodist Church is much more than a historic building. Many persons have been sponsored by the church and gone into professional ministry. In many ways, the church is active in reaching out to the community and continues to be a living expression of its rich heritage.
A few classrooms were built in 1927. In the early 1940's, the Erin Methodist Church sponsored the first chartered Boy Scout Troop. This was not only the first in Erin, it was also the first in the district. A new parsonage was also built during this time period. Between 1950 and 1952, the Wesleyan Service Guild purchased a new organ for the church and the Memorial Annex was added, consisting of a fellowship hall, kitchen, and three classrooms. An educational wing was added in 1961 which included a small chapel with stained glass windows, a pastor's study, library, nursery, restrooms and six classrooms.
Over the years the building has been used for high school graduations, family reunions, large weddings, and funerals. Before the construction of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, the Catholic congregants celebrated Mass at Erin UMC for a period of time. The church housed Erin United Methodist Church Preschool from 1992 until the addition of preschool to the public school system. The Erin United Methodist Church is much more than a historic building. Many persons have been sponsored by the church and gone into professional ministry. In many ways, the church is active in reaching out to the community and continues to be a living expression of its rich heritage.