The origin of Christ Church, United Methodist, was an open-air service held at Kenwood Park on July 11, 1911, under the leadership of the Rev. Benjamin Rowe who was the pastor of the Methodist Church at Bennett’s Corners. The first Methodist Society in Sherrill met in an old school house on East Hamilton Avenue under his direction. Rent $10.00 per month.

Christ Church-United Methodist Sherrill, New York

In 1917 Mr. Rowe was followed by Rev. Floyd Purdy. In 1920 Rev. W.S. Lyon came to Sherrill. With a total membership of nearly 250 and a Sunday School enrollment of over 200, the church found itself in need of more adequate facilities to meet this growing demand.

The present church cornerstone was laid on Sunday, September 10, 1923, and the building was in use by the spring of 1924. The total cost of Park Methodist Episcopal Church was approximately $50,000.

Mr. Lyon continued to serve here until the winter of 1925-1926. The Rev. A.H. Burnett was appointed to the pastorate and served until 1928. Rev. Burnett was followed in the pastorate by Rev. DeWitt S. Hooker (1928-1929). Rev. Walter Tildesley (1929-1933), Rev. Fred Butman (1933-1937), and Rev. Howard Buies (1937-1941).

In 1939, because of difficult economic conditions, a group of laymen from Park M.E. Church and Plymouth Congregational Church worked out a plan of cooperation, starting January 1, 1940. Services were conducted in the two churches on an alternating basis. Rev. Buies served the Sherrill Cooperating Churches until 1943.

Rev. Arthur H. Burnett returned to Sherrill in 1941 and served the Cooperating Churches until Nov. 1948. He was succeeded by Rev. Berl A. Lewis who resigned in 1963 after a 15 year period. Rev. Tildesley returned for one year and was replaced in June 1964 by Rev. Robert J. Thomas.

In June 1966, after 26 years, the cooperating agreement was dissolved and Rev. Thomas continued his ministry at Christ Methodist Church, the name of Park Methodist Church having been changed. In 1968, as a result if the merger of the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren denominations, the name evolved to Christ Church, United Methodist. Rev. Thomas retired in 1980 and served as Pastor Emeritus until his death in 2001. Rev. Harlow T. Doliber served as pastor from 1980 until his retirement in July 1989. He was replaced bv Rev. James M. Brand, who served until July 1, 1994. Rev. M. Russell Lee served as pastor until his retirement in 2002. Rev. Kathleen Turnbole served as pastor until July 1, 2005. Rev. James Darling is our current pastor.

Fellowship Hall, originally built as a Recreation Hall and Gymnasium in 1924, was a victim of the depression of the early 1930’s. The property was rented to the Sherrill Press, and then it was occupied by the Conde Milk Machine Company for manufacturing purposes. During World War II, it was taken over by the United States Government and made into a five apartment house. At the conclusion of the war it was returned to the church.

In 1990 the church renovated the chancel and received the gift of a new organ.

In 1992 a major building program was completed in which the Fellowship Hall was completely renovated and a new structure connecting Fellowship Hall and the Church was erected to make the buildings more capable of serving the needs of the congregation and the community.

In 1994, the Bennett’s Corners Church merged with Christ Church. The bell from the Bennett’s bell tower was removed to the Christ Church tower and the pulpit furniture is now used in Sherrill. The current membership of the congregation is about 500.

In 2005, the original entrance to the church became dangerous from weather. A new entrance was designed and the contract was awarded. The new entrance is enclosed and three stained glass windows from other areas of the church were designed to be part of the entrance. The brick façade was ordered specifically to match the original brick of the building. The project was completed in the fall of 2005.

The congregation is committed and determined to continue reaching out to the world in the name of Jesus Christ sharing God’s grace and mercy with the world. Christ Church is dedicated to the United Methodist mission with ‘Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors.'

And Now About Us Today!!

At Christ Church-United Methodist in Sherrill, NY, we value children and families, individuals, couples, singles and women and men.

• There is Sunday School for children from pre-K to 6th. Grade. Meets Sunday 9:15AM
• Sunday Worship is at 10:30 AM September-June and 9:30 AM July-August.
• There is Nursery care provided each Sunday all year; September-June we also have ‘Children’s Church for those youngsters between kindergarten and fourth grade that begins following the Children’s Time in the service.
• There is a Youth Fellowship for young people in 7th grade through high school.
• We have an Adult Sunday School Class-meets Sunday Morning at 9:00 AM
• United Methodist Women meets the fourth Tuesday of the month. It provides for the mission work of the church. All women are invited to be part.
• The Tousley Woodworkers is our version of Untied Methodist Men. The group focuses around woodworking, and the men throughout the year, work on projects of woodcraft that will be part of the annual bazaar in November.
• Currently we house several Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops within our facility. In addition to the boys and girls troops, the local Boy Scout Council utilizes our facility for quarterly and monthly meetings as well as training for scout leaders.
• We have an Adult Study group meeting the first and third Fridays of each month. The focus of this group is on Biblical Study and contemporary issues. It meets at 6:00 PM and starts with an informal meal and then goes into the night’s discussion.
• Enjoy singing? We have an Adult Choir that reherses on Sunday morning at 9:00 AM and presents special pieces of music weekly throughout the year. No audition necessary!, just a desire to have fun and to sing!
  
  Also we have singing for children. Our Kidz Kwire is for children who like to sing and wil present a special piece of music throughout the year at periodic intervals.
• There are many ways for one to find their place here at Christ Church in Sherrill. We invite you to try us out. See where you are able to connect. We will help, without being overbearing.