The Winooski United Methodist Church
802-655-7371
The Revd. Jill Colley Robinson reading the dedication.
The Revd. Patricia J. Thompson, who was instrumental in acquiring the designation.
A New England UMC Historic Site
On October 24,2024, a dedication ceremony was held in celebration of the WUMC being designated a United Methodist Historic Site #569 in the New England Annual Conference. The designation recognizes the Church's historical significance, particularly for the role it played in being the spiritual home to some of the Buffalo Soldiers, a few of whom retired in Winooski after their service.
On hand to participate in the readings was Bee McCollum, granddaughter of First Sergeant Willis Hatcher, who also read some poignant memories from her deceased brother John Hatcher McCollum. Bee still attends the WUMC. A statement by Reg Wells was also read. Wells returns to the church each summer to attend services and play the organ. He is the grandson of Sergeant Silas Johnson.
The Cost of Preserving a Historic Church
In 2020, we began a Capital Campaign aimed at restoring and preserving our church, which is listed on the US Registrar of Historic Places. Then, the Pandemic Hit. We were still able to fund and finish a number of items on our "to-do" list. These items only target the minimal repairs and upgrades, needed to preserve the integrity of the structure and make it functional for our and the public's use.
Updated Repairs Needed 2025-26
Upgrade Sanctuary Lighting
Stain Glass Window Preservation
Air Conditioning Ventilation
Handicap Access to Sanctuary
Kitchen Countertop Upgrade
Tuning/maintenance of Organ
Heat to the Food Shelf Room
Repair Shingles/Wood-Bell Tower
& Finish Painting Church Exterior
Insulation
$30,000
$38,000
$12,000
$84,000
$12,000
$1,000/year
$1,000
$12,000
$6,000
You can donate by sending a check to the Winooski United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 53, Winooski, Vermont 05404, or by donating on line:
Our Roots in
Community Service
The history of Methodism in Winooski probably dates back to the 1830's. Like many communities in America at the time, itinerant preachers or nearby clergy served the protestant needs of the town until 1846, when the Second Methodist Church of Winooski was organized.
By 1859, the congregation had raised enough funds to build its own meeting house. Charles S. and William G. Harding, who were then owners of the Burlington Mills, sold the corner land on Follett and West Allen Streets for one dollar and the rights to three pews when the church building was finished. The original church was built in the Greek Revival Style that was popular for public buildings at the time.
After the fire in 1917, the church continued to hold English classes for French emigres and provided other
social services in the basement, once that remaining part of the church had been roofed over, but services were transferred temporarily to the Congregational Church across the Street--a wonderful act of brotherly love and ecumenism.
The new church that we still occupy continued its social mission by helping the soldiers who were stationed at Camp Ethan Allen, including the Buffalo Soldiers. Among the many donors to this church were members of the renowned Tenth Cavalry, who were stationed at Fort Ethan Allen from 1909-1913. After the unit was transferred to Fort Huachuca Arizona in 1914, a number of these heroic soldiers retired and settled in Winooski. Two of their descendants continue to worship here.
We still follow the of faith through service. Our basement provides temporary homes for other congregations, space for an AA self-help group, as well as for the Winooski Food Shelf. English as a Second Language is still taught here as part of the Refugee Resettlement Program. In addition,
every night, except Sunday, from 6-7 pm, Pastor Ellen brings people together to find healing from loneliness, anxiety, grief, chronic pain, and addiction, through our Teleconnections Ministry.
A Church of Historic Significance
In 1918, the current United Methodist Church of Winooski literally rose out of the ashes of the old church, which had been built in 1860, on land donated by the Burlington Woolen Company. Fire destroyed the original building one Sunday afternoon on December 16, 1917, after Sunday service. In 2001, the new church was placed on the US National Register of Historic Places as a fine example of the Carpenter Gothic Style. The most famous depiction of this style is the farmhouse behind the couple in Grant Wood's painting American Gothic.
Our Magnificent Hall Pipe Organ
Created especially for the new church, the pipe organ that graces our church was built at some point near 1920 by The Hall Organ Builder Company of New Haven, Connecticut. It features 700 pipes and still has its original blower from the early 20th century, which according to master organ builder and restorer Stephan Conrady is "amazing." It has a sweet, French romantic sound, which fits its intimate setting, he adds. The Harry Hall Organ Company was established by Harry Hall in 1898. Born in Horsham, Sussex, England, Hall worked for Hook & Hastings of Kendall Green, MA, before founding his own organ works.
Our History
