Our church was founded in the late 1800s. Land was given to the church in 1893 and the public school met in the church until the school was built in 1894. The parsonage, now our Annex, was begun in 1895. The structure still carries the white clapboard look of many of the buildings built then, and a distinctive molded tin ceiling. In recent years, the Fellowship Hall, kitchen and nursery were added. And, thanks to Redevelopment Funds from the City of Morgan Hill, the whole church was refurbished in the late 1980s.
Postcard Photo of the Methodist Church of Morgan Hill, 1912
The church community has been worshiping in the middle of Morgan Hill since before 1890. We have served Christ and the town from its earliest beginnings. Hand in hand with other churches — we began by meeting with the Baptists — we still carry our commitment to ecumenical ministries.
Nearly forty Methodist pastors have served this church in its hundred years. Thousands of Morgan Hill residents have found a home and a source of spiritual strength in this religious community. And thousands of children have been brought up in the faith.
Anne Friebel and Franalee Thompson recall the heart of church gatherings: the food.
“The women brought boxes and baskets packed with food — wrapped in paper and tea towels before Tupperware or foil were common,” Franalee remembered.
“It was always rich — eggs, butter, and nut breads spread with real cream cheese.”
Anne added, “The UMW always outdid themselves with refreshments.”
From a letter by Catherine Stone (1884–1958)
The Morgan Hill Ladies Aid was born on May 6, 1894, after a picnic by the creek and a determined push by Brother Hester.
Early efforts included a fundraising quilt — names stitched onto muslin blocks for 10–25 cents each. The quilt raised $60 (a big sum at the time), and Catherine’s husband was persuaded to buy it for $3.
“We think fundraising is hard now — but back then, no one had money unless they worked a day for $1.50.”
To help finish the church interior, Catherine raised $20 by asking for donations at the post office as mail arrived. The Ladies Aid also sold ice cream every two weeks in the summer, making $10 a time — a true community effort.
Ladies Aid is founded by Catherine Stone — a forerunner of today's United Women in Faith.
Pastor’s wife Mrs. L.P. Walker loses her wedding ring in the parsonage wall. It's never been found.
Congregation dedicates the church and burns the mortgage.
Rev. J.W. Peters starts the church’s first youth group: the Epworth League. (Rev. & Mrs. Peters are in the photo here, on the steps of the parsonage, now the church office.)
A barn is built for the pastor’s horse (later rebuilt as the "Carriage House" classroom for early elementary students).
Sanctuary is expanded, and a kitchen is added.
Men’s Club begins with 50 members.
Social Hall is expanded.
Church building is moved 17 feet west to make room for Monterey Road expansion.
New Sunday School rooms are added.
Church purchases a new parsonage on Longview Drive.
75th Anniversary celebration draws 200 attendees.
Pipe organ is replaced with an electronic Rogers Cambridge 220-II.
Complete restoration begins: structural repairs, painting, landscaping, and interior upgrades.
MHUMC officially becomes a Reconciling Congregation, affirming full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons.
Launch of “Sharing the Bounty” — a Wednesday night community meal program with Martha’s Kitchen.
MHUMC celebrates its 125th Anniversary of mission and ministry in Morgan Hill.