Who we are is expressed in our values. We are a welcoming and open congregation where everyone who walks through the door is (as Pastor Jim likes to say) “God’s favorite person’. We are a multi-generational congregation with growing numbers of young families alongside long-time members and retirees. We’re more than a Sunday morning destination – we’re a community center. Our building hosts AA, NA, Al-Anon, Scout troops, yoga recovery, and other groups throughout the week. We seek to live out our mission of serving the community. Here is a place where people feel accepted, inspired, and connected.
GROW – In Love of God and Neighbor
REACH – New People
HEAL – A Broken World
Love, Community, Welcoming, Generosity, Inclusiveness, Worship
The United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids, MN seeks to build disciples of Jesus Christ through worship, education, outreach, and fellowship.
We will strive to share God’s Grace with all for the transformation of ourselves, our community and the world.
In 1953 a group of Methodists started meeting at the Masonic Hall in Grand Rapids, MN to organize a new church.
Sept. 13, 1953, a Sunday School was started. The church was chartered Nov. 11, 1953. This launched a journey that would include a variety of name changes and several building projects.
On June 17, 2001, the ground was broken at Beacon Hill to build a new facility. The congregation moved into the new building one year later on June 15, 2002.
The old church was sold to a new congregation in July of 2002.
“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. ” -Psalm 1:3
On June 15, 2012, the occasion of the tenth anniversary of being in our new building, we paused to give thanks for the vision of the congregation as they made the move to the new location and to continue to accept the call of God on our lives as the congregation to live out the Great Commission. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” -Matthew 28:19
Robert Mitchell, a member and a local artist, was commissioned by the Worship Committee to create the Tree of Life sculpture to capture the moment of this occasion.
On May 19, 2019, we celebrated the last payment on the mortgage for our new church. “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” – 1 Corinthians 3: 16-17.
On Sunday, November 12, 2023 we held a 70th anniversary celebration with a special sharing time from previous pastors that have served the congregation.