Our Congregation

Celebrating 204 Years of Ministry: 1817-2021

"Out of the Past, Into the Future"

​The Brunswick Methodist Church — the oldest church in Medina county and the second oldest in the Western Reserve — was founded in 1817.  In that same year the Reverend Jacob Ward, a Methodist minister "of considerable influence and power," relocated to the Brunswick community from Pittsfield, Massachusetts along with his widowed sister, Rhoda Stowe, and her two sons John and Daniel. As soon as he arrived Rev. Ward organized the first class of the Methodist Episcopal Church consisting then of 13 members. Initially worship services were held in private homes with Ward's own home serving as a home-away-from-home for many itinerant Methodist clergy (known as "circuit riders") and also as the headquarters of Methodism in the entire area for 22 years. Ward Hall at Baldwin Wallace University was dedicated in memory of Jacob Ward.

In 1872 members of the church put the finishing touches on a building that is today known as our Ward Chapel. In 1968 the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged to become the current United Methodist Church denomination. Ground was broken in 1976 for the East Wing or Education Wing and in 2002 our congregation carried the light from the Ward Chapel into the newly-built sanctuary.

Our Mission

"To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

At Brunswick United Methodist, we embrace the overarching United Methodist mission that encourages us to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”  We carry out this very important task by proclaiming the good news of God’s grace and by exemplifying Jesus’ command to love God and love one another.

Our Vision

"Christ • Community • Connect"

Our goal is to be an outwardly-focused church that engages in our local community, our nation, and in the world to reveal the life-changing impact of a relationship with Jesus Christ through our gifts of tithes, offering, and service. We support missionaries that carry out social justice projects and evangelism efforts around the world and also provide a local food and bread pantry, a monthly  community-wide soup dinner and a monthly prayer service right here in Brunswick, Ohio. In addition we provide volunteer and financial support for numerous cultural and community outreach programs— including concerts, benefit meals, financial seminars, classes for adult caregivers, a Kids' Hope USA mentoring program for at-risk children in our public schools, Habitat for Humanity, and our local Boy Scout troops. ​​

Our Team

A growing church thrives on a loving, enthusiastic, and supportive congregation but is also in need of a strong leadership. Our pastoral and administrative staff is responsible for meeting the spiritual needs of our congregation, communicating the Good News, scheduling all events and maintaining the facilities during the week. They look forward to meeting you and to serving you at worship on Sunday mornings and during various ministry and fellowship opportunities throughout the week.

Click on the photos below for short bios of each team member.

THOMAS SHAW

Pastor

KAREN MCGOUGHRAN

Office Manager

MATTHEW WALD

Director of Christian Education

RON CHIDSEY

Kids' Hope USA Director

CHRIS CHIDSEY

Organist and Accompanist