Our History
Our church has deep roots in the Gilbert community, beginning in 1907 as a small Sunday School sharing faith and friendship with local farming families. In August 1915, we officially became a church with just 11 members. A lot has changed since then—our buildings have moved three times, and our congregation has grown—but what remains constant is our commitment to being a warm, welcoming church with a close-knit, family feel.
We’re a diverse and loving community where people come together for worship, learning, and meaningful friendships. No matter your age, background, or abilities, there’s a place for you here. Whether it’s a Bible study, a small group, or a service opportunity, we invite you to get involved in a way that speaks to you. We know that when you do, you’ll find a deeper sense of belonging and joy.
We’d love for you to be part of this journey—growing in faith, building friendships, and making a difference together. Welcome home!
The Story of the Methodist Church
On April 23, 1968, The United Methodist Church was created when Bishop Reuben H. Mueller, representing The Evangelical United Brethren Church, and Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke of The Methodist Church joined hands at the constituting General Conference in Dallas, Texas. With the words, “Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The United Methodist Church,” the new denomination was given birth by two churches that had distinguished histories and influential ministries in various parts of the world.
Theological traditions steeped in the Protestant Reformation and Wesleyanism, similar ecclesiastical structures, and relationships that dated back almost two hundred years facilitated the union. In the Evangelical United Brethren heritage, for example, Philip William Otterbein, the principal founder of the United Brethren in Christ, assisted in the ordination of Francis Asbury to the superintendency of American Methodist work. Jacob Albright, through whose religious experience and leadership the Evangelical Association was begun, was nurtured in a Methodist class meeting following his conversion.
Read more about the history of The United Methodist Church
Pastors Through the Years
(S): Senior Pastor, (A): Associate Pastor
1916- William Reberger
1918- W.C. Miller
1919- G.W. Imel
1923- J.A. Crouch
1924- (D.W. Throckmorton)
1926- Roy Mason
1927- Herbert Brooke
1931- A.W. Gray (R.H. Richardson)
1932- Harold E. Broughton
1933- Norman Taylor
1936- Paul I. Hershey
1937- Russell Bales
1940- J. Marvin Davis
1943- (Helen L. Toner)
1947- Donald F. Wogaman
1953- W.A. Buford
1956- William A. Henderson
1960- Howard W. Butterfield
1962- Millard W. Wolfe
1966- Maurice A. Phillips
1968- Olin E. Lehman
1974- Robert H. Simpson
1982- J. Thomas Walker
1985- F. Gary Prichard
1987- Tom Butcher
1991- Jane Tews(S) and Richard Morrison (A)
1997- Gary Kennedy
2007- Daniel Morley
2010- Michael Bryant(S) and Eve Williams(A)
2012- Deborah Lerner(S) and David Harriss(A)
2018- Rick Casebolt(S) and Diamond Pate(A)
2024- Kristin Hansen(S) and Adriana Hernandez(A)