By Hayleigh Gowans

Staff Writer

The Manlius United Methodist Church has been offering worship services in the village of Manlius for two centuries, and its members celebrated this milestone with a community barbecue on June 11 and special worship service and brunch on June 12.

“The fact that God has blessed us as a worshipping body for 200 years is just so profound,” said Linda Hernandez, team leader for the 200 year celebration committee and choir director. “This celebration is to show gratitude and thanks to God for this milestone.”

The United Methodist Church is a Christian religion that traces its roots back to 1736 and the leadership of brothers John and Charles Wesley of England, who were pioneers in the Methodist and Wesleyan bodies of worship. In the early days of the Manlius United Methodist Church, Hernandez said the congregation would gather at homes in the community to worship. Since its inception in 1816, the church and has occupied three buildings, including the building of Robbins Rarities on Wesley Street in Manlius. In 1906, church members worked together to construct the current building they occupy at the corner of Wesley and Pleasant streets in Manlius, said Hernandez.

“To put it into perspective, the United States had only been a country for 40 years when our congregation was formed. To me, that’s incredible,” said Hernandez.

Since 1816, there have been 35 pastors at the Manlius United Methodist Church, said Hernandez, and the current pastor, Joseph Kim, has been there since July 2013. Currently, there are about 200 official members of the church.

At the special worship service on June 12, United Methodist District Superintendent Reverend Nola Anderson joined the congregation and gave a special message.

The Manlius United Methodist Church is located at 111 Wesley St. in Manlius and holds a weekly Sunday Worship at 9:45 a.m. that is open to the community. For more information, call 682-8021 or go to manliusumc.org.