Mission Statement:

Even before the Town of Newstead and the Village of Akron existed, our church was established in 1807 in the home of Charles Knight.  The twelve member group was the first Methodist church west of the Genesee River, thus earning the title “The Cradle of Western New York Methodism.” 

A passion to share God’s love and grace is found throughout our congregation’s history.  Revivals brought more and more persons to the redeeming news of Jesus Christ.  Over the years our congregations continued to steadily grow.  By 1837 the Village of Akron was organized and that original Methodist group made plans to build a church.  In 1840, a new stone church was built on the present site where our church now stands overlooking beautiful Russell Park.

Several renovations and remodeling projects accommodated the growing ministry needs of the congregation and the Akron community.  In 1942, a devastating fire reduced the church to its original stone walls.  Within two years, the congregation raised $60,000 to rebuild the church, and by 1947 dedicated a new organ which was originally located in the Larkin Building in Buffalo. 

In 1963, a Christian education addition was constructed increasing the church facilities significantly.  And in 2003, elaborate renovations were made to the entranceway, fellowship hall, and sanctuary.  These recent renovations included the installation of an elevator offering full accessibility of our church facilities.  The beautiful oak staircase accents the entranceway of the church with a warm welcoming atmosphere.  In 2005, we dedicated the C. Dee Wright Community Ministry Center, which was previously the Newstead Town Hall.  The “Wright Center” is growing to be a place of community ministry outreach along with other churches and the Hearts and Hands Faith in Action outreach ministry.

Future renovations and building additions are currently in the planning stages as our church and its ministries continue to grow and adapt to our community as we have for over 200 years.

Though most church history accounts accent the church building, the true history and legacy of our congregation rests in the many faithful people who have followed God’s calling in proclaiming and extending the Good News of Jesus Christ within the Akron community and to the world.

Today, the Akron First United Methodist Church continues to be a growing and vibrant church.  Just as our church is geographically located in the center of the Village Akron on Russell Park, we are also often the center of activities and events, and the center of outreach and local ministries within Akron.