About Us

First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge sits in the heart of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, not only geographically, but also spiritually. God has blessed our church community with many wonderful gifts: generous and warm people; a tradition of service to those in need; a loving and welcoming culture; ministries that make a difference in the life of our city; and a beautiful, busy building. However, far above all of these gifts is the knowledge and awareness that God's Holy Spirit continues to move us forward into the future as we seek to represent Jesus Christ in Oak Ridge and beyond. You are invited to join us in our worship and programs, all of which strive to show the same love and compassion to others that we have been shown by Christ.

First United Methodist Church began as a loose gathering of displaced Methodists who had relocated to the new secret government-owned town of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in 1943 and 1944. Beginning in October of 1944, They were served by a young pastor named Robert Lundy, who led early Sunday meetings in the town’s movie theater – which they would transform into a worship space, and then promptly back before the Sunday matinee began. The congregation was made up of young people in their 20s and 30s, who had accepted the mysterious task of working on an unknown project in an unknown place during World War II. Some of these founding worshipers remained in Oak Ridge, and formed the backbone of First UMC in its early years.

After the war ended, the US government allotted space for each of the church communities to build. First UMC completed the construction of most of what we know as the church in 1952, as one can see on the cornerstone that resides on the building below the Memorial Garden. An additional wing, including the Multipurpose Room was added in 1966.

In 2008, Trinity United Methodist church on the west side of Oak Ridge decided to merge with First UMC, enabling the congregations to grow stronger and to use the assets from the Trinity community for the betterment of Oak Ridge. The Trinity Center was sold in 2019 to an Hispanic congregation which had been using the facility.

In 2022, the congregation focused a great deal of energy and time on discussing whether or not to affiliate with the Reconciling Ministries Network (https://rmnetwork.org). The Reconciling Ministries Network is an organization seeking the full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the United Methodist Church. In November and December of 2022, the First Church membership voted with a 90% approval to join the RMN and become a "Reconciling Congregation."

The church has grown in many ways since its beginnings – especially in helping to foster new initiatives in the Oak Ridge community like the annual Earth Day Festival, the Oak Ridge Free Medical Clinic, Tennessee Out-Reach Center for Homeless (TORCH), and our newest initiative, First Recovery.

ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

OUR VISION

OUR VALUES

OUR HISTORY

OUR LEADERS

HELPING PEOPLE FOLLOW JESUS