When Springfield United Methodist Church began in 1954, it met at Garfield School, across the street from its current home. Celebrating its 50 anniversary this year, SUMC no longer meets at Garfield School, but its congregation's relationship with the school has continued.
The first SUMC building was finished in 1955. However, since the Springfield area was growing so rapidly, the church almost immediately started building an addition, which wasn’t finished until 1960.
“We were overflowing, Garfield School was overflowing. So we held Sunday school classes there and then they held school classes here,” said co-Pastor Pam Horner.
SUMC started out with 37 charter members who developed the plans and built the church from the ground up.
“It was a lot of work," said charter member Pat Harrison. "I did a lot of volunteering. But as it grew, there were a lot more people to draw from. It was worth it. It was fun.”
VOLUNTEERING is still a big part of SUMC's philosophy and the church now has over 40 members that regularly volunteer at Garfield.
“What we do at Garfield is provide volunteers to read to the children and have the children read to us," said Horner. "Ninety-two percent of the population of children from the school come from homes where English is not the first language. Our help has made a significant difference in the children.”
Ellen Mooradian, the administrative assistant at Garfield School, said that SUMC is the best neighbor that the school could have.
“I can’t say enough about them," Mooradian said. "They’re wonderful. They give so much support. The ministers take time personally to come over and volunteer their time. Not only do they read with our children, but they also put on special programs. People here know them on a first-name basis.”
SUMC was charted on March 14, 1954. In March 2004, the church had a huge luncheon and celebration to commemorate its 50 anniversary. In addition to this celebration, SUMC is sponsoring programs all year long in honor of its 50 years.
“We had members help repair homes for Hurricane Isabel. Our senior high group just returned from western North Carolina where they were participating in the Carolina Cross Connection mission,” Horner said. “In August, we have a group going to Guatemala to do vacation bible school for about 300 children.”
SUMC also sponsors its Sandwich Ministries. On Sunday mornings before service, members make over 400 sandwiches in one hour. The sandwiches are donated to the Elenore Kennedy Shelter.
“The Sandwich Ministries is a good thing for newcomers because they come to church and they get the opportunity to help someone,” Horner said. “We also have ‘Feed my Sheep’ which is a program where we collect food throughout the year and it goes to ECHO [Ecumenical Community Helping Others], Bethany House or Rising Hope.”
THE SUMC youth program developed “Fun-day school” instead of Sunday school for the children. This summer, children ages 3 to fifth grade are taking part in building a tabernacle for the church.
"Fun-day" school students get help building the tabernacle from the older members of the youth group as well. The teens in the youth group help supervise the projects.
"It's nice to help out with kids younger than us," Brandon Palekas said. "Plus, we get paid."
Horner said the tabernacle project helps children with difficult backgrounds to learn to work with other students, and the different centers helps children to learn however is best for them.
“The tabernacle involves all youth ages. It’s an amazing project,” Horner said. “Though Sandwiches and Fun-day are new programs, we’re still maintaining things that have always been a traditional part of the church.”
Horner has only been co-pastor with her husband, Dan, for 2 years, but she said she has seen the church and the Springfield area continue to change.
“We continue to see a lot of new people and the area is still changing,” Horner said.
Ruth Weiss, another SUMC charter member, was one of the first people to move with her family to Springfield in 1952.
“When we moved into our house on Amherst, the streets weren’t paved and the gas was not turned on, but it was fun,” Weiss said. “The area has grown, and people have moved away and it has become a home for a younger generation. But the church has remained a cornerstone for the Springfield area.”
Church member Henry Washington comes from Washington, D.C. to attend services at SUMC.
"When pastors Dan and Pam Horner came over here from Sydenstricker Methodist, I was right behind them," Washington said. "The love in this church is a great place to share the faith."
Jerry Manaucci agreed with Washington that the Horners were the reason he goes to SUMC.
"He's [Dan Horner] like a magnet, he draws you in," Manaucci said.
Harrison said that the best things about SUMC have been the convenience, the people, and the ministers.
“I would not change my church. It’s my church and that’s how I feel about it. I love it,” Harrison said.