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Who We Are

No newcomer to the southside, Mt. Auburn United Methodist Church, has been faithfully serving the Lord for over 180 years.

Mt. Auburn began in 1826, as a few Methodist members gathered together to worship in a small frame building on the banks of Pleasant Run Creek just a few miles from our current location. As the church began to grow, "The Mt. Auburn Society," began meeting in a house just south of Dye's Walk Country Club.

In 1848, construction began on a new church building. Fire destroyed the lumber being used to build and the church was not completed until 1853. In 1904 a new building was dedicated debt-free and served as Mt. Auburn's home for the next 64 years. For the first 140 years of our existence, Mt. Auburn was a country church. Change, however, was on the horizon.

In 1968, the first of our present facilities were dedicated. Through the years, we have continued to add on classrooms, office space and a kitchen. A tornado swept down and destroyed much of the church in 1986. God miraculously spared the lives of 135 little children and daycare staff who were in the building. A year later, the congregation dedicated a newly refurbished building. At that dedication, each family contributed a small rock which was then cemented into a larger congregational rock that was placed on the east side of the sanctuary. It remains there today and confirms our commitment to God and this community.

We are growing again! In November 2008, we plan to break ground and build a new Family Life Center. Our master plan also includes adding on a Children's Wing and eventually a new Sanctuary. Learn more about our building project.

Mt. Auburn has fought through fire, tornado, and discouragements of every nature, yet has always found the courage and faith to persevere. Dr. J. Wesley Hertel has served as Senior Pastor at Mt. Auburn since 1990. He has been a pastor for 42 years. The congregation is committed to excellence in programming and worship and has a passion for service and mission work. Because children are so important, we bring quality childcare and extensive children's programming each Sunday. Mt Auburn has affirmed the importance of children by having a Christian Daycare since the early 1980s. And, our youth program is growing and strong!

If you don't have a church home, we hope you'll come visit and experience our family of faith.