Our Church History
Last Supper Drama
In the summer of 1969, a band of five were moved by something that dated back to 1494 – the year when da Vinci was commissioned to paint The Last Supper scene, trying to capture the moods of the apostles after Jesus predicted that one will betray Him. Now this famous work was causing new interest in what it represented. The drama was presented for 50 years.
Click on the picture for more information about the Last Supper Drama
History of the United Methodist Church
JOHN WESLEY
The United Methodist Church shares a common history and heritage with other Methodist and Wesleyan bodies. The lives and ministries of John Wesley (1703–1791) and of his brother, Charles (1707–1788), mark the origin of their common roots. Both of the Wesley brothers had
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
Distinctive Elements in Our Church
Our Stained Glass Windows
One of the more distinctive elements of our church building is the beautiful stained glass window above the nave or main entry to the sanctuary. Leonardo DaVinci’s “The Last Supper” is depicted here.
Installed in 1979, the belltower was commissioned as a memorial for Skip Elson, a member who died in the Vietnam War. Click HERE to view the dedication program.
Milestone Dates of the West Des Moines United Methodist Church
| Winter of 1892-93 | First Methodist services held in Valley Junction in Mott’s Hall. |
| 1894 | Church built at Seventh and Elm on land bought by Ladies Aid. |
| 1896 | Small church is moved across the street and a larger church is under construction at the same Seventh and Elm site. |
| Winter of 1902 | Church badly damaged when |
| 1904 | First service held at |
| 1942 | First pipe organ is purchased and installed. |
| 1947 | Land at 8th and Grand purchased. |
| March 8, |
Mrs. Peggy LeVere leads the congregation to donate to the building fund and start building a new church. |
| February 14, 1954 | Cornerstone for Unit I of new building laid, |
| September 19, |
First service held in Unit I of |
| 1957 | Construction begins on Unit II, |
| December 14, |
First service in Unit II in the new sanctuary. |
| December 28, 1958 | Consecration of the new building. |
| October 6, 1963 | Mortgage paid and |
| 1970 | First Last Supper Dramatization held on Maundy Thursday. |
| 1971 | Construction begins on Unit III, |
| December 4, 1979 | Dedication of new bell tower in memory of Skip Elson. |
| November 1986 | Building expansion committee formed. |
| March 1992 | Building expansion completed. |
