Our History

On April 10, 1810, Circuit Rider Henry Redstone preached the first sermon to a Methodist Society in the town of lslip. At that time, preaching was held at the house of John T. Doxsee until his change of residence in 1818, when preaching was held at the houses of Daniel Jarvis, Archelaus Doxsee, and Ebenezer Mott. Following that, preaching was held at the house of Daniel Jarvis only. Throughout this time pen'od, the Circuit Riders would preach on a semi-monthly basis.

In 1828, the first small church in the area, called the Central Church, was built on the northwest corner of Saxon Avenue and Montauk Highway to serve worshippers from lslip and Penataquit. With a gradual increase in attendance, it was found that the church could not accommodate the growing number of parishioners and so a larger church was built on the site of the old church in 1849. The two communities worshipped as one until it was decided to organize two Methodist churches, one in Penataquit (Bay Shore) and one in lslip.

The lslip portion had already formed the Methodist Episcopal Church and congregation of lslip (west) in 1856. In 1860, lslip Methodist bought the old Methodist Episcopal Church building, and the adjacent property, now the property east of the existing church. The little old “Red School House” was also purchased and remodeled into an assembly place for worship, prayer meetings, and Sunday school until a new church was built. On January 5, 1861 the trustees decided to build a modest church. In 1866 the new church building was completed. The original church building consisted of what is now Fellowship Hall, the stage, the pastor’s office and the food pantry. Reports have it that lumber from the second central church located on Saxon Avenue was used in erecting the first official church in lslip. Eventually, the very small church building would have to be expanded and so a second property purchase was made in 1881.

In 1896, our present church sanctuary was completed and dedicated. Pulpit furniture was provided by donations and the pews provided by the “Church Completion Society”. The church moved fonlvard and grew physically larger throughout the twentieth century. In 1922 the basement was cleared and the kitchen and dining room were created. The old pipe organ was removed and an electric organ was installed in 1945. The sanctuary was redesigned in 1946 with a center aisle and chancel with dossal curtain. Part of the oak wood from the old organ was used in making the altar.

In September 1957, the educational extension, located on the south side of the existing church structure, was completed. Fellowship Hall was redesigned and the kitchen was brought upstairs next to Fellowship Hall. In 1977 a thrift shop was opened in the former kitchen space of the basement. A memorial carillon was installed in 1983 and upgraded over the years. It can be heard playing throughout the village to the glory of God. The church sanctuary was completely refurbished in 2006 in preparation for lslip Historical Society Holiday Tour. In 2011, the kitchen was redesigned and refurbished to support our varied fellowship events. Today, the congregation consists of 504 members who spend much time and energy in selfless service to the lslip United Methodist Church.