Prescott United Methodist Church celebrates 140 years of service
By Jean Franovich, Prescott UMC
To commemorate 140 years of serving Prescott and its surrounding communities, Prescott United Methodist Church has planned a series of special events in honor of its long history. For the annual Frontier Days parade on July 3, the church’s float will recognize the anniversary by depicting the first Sunday School classes led by Methodist lay people at Fort Misery in 1866.
The church’s annual Rally Day on Aug. 15 will invite other churches with ties to PUMC to help celebrate this milestone anniversary, and plans for a historical tour of buildings important to the origins of the church are also in the works. The celebrations will culminate Dec. 19 when Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will deliver a special sermon of commemoration.
Historical memorabilia from the church, including the large altar Bible brought here in 1874, went on display in the Prescott Public Library during the month of May. Other artifacts in the display included the personal Bible of the wife of Rev. D.B. Wright, the first Methodist minister formally assigned to Prescott, as well as the silver baptismal pitcher and Holy Communion service pieces dating back to 1874.
Photographs with detailed captions that revealed the gradual development of the church that began on Marina Street and is now located at 505 W. Gurley were also in the display. The historical committee of the church, led by Jean Phillips, organized and placed all the items in the huge glass display case.
Senior pastors of the church, the Rev. Dr. George Cushman and the Rev. Nancy Cushman as well as the Rev. Carol Mumford, associate pastor, are each overseeing celebrations marking the anniversary.
The Rev. Nancy Cushman said, “We are so thrilled to be celebrating 140 years of serving God in this place. We are looking forward to serving 140 more years.”
Left: Ann Somerville stopped by to admire the carefully crafted church banner during Prescott UMC’s 140 year celebration. Right: Members of the historical committee led by Jean Phillips, front, prepared the display. Jan Mackey, Sarah Cushman and Sylvia Neeley helped place the items commemorating the 140th anniversary of the church.