Lexington’s second-earliest church, Lexington United Methodist, will celebrate its 175th year of faithful service to the community in September.

With it being one of the first churches in the early Lexington era, its story is a testimony of what faithfulness mixed with humility can build.

Lexington United Methodist was not always the beautiful structure nestled in downtown near the courthouse like it is today. Over the years, the congregation met in three different buildings before the iconic Gothic-style brick structure was dedicated to the church in honor of its centennial in 1950.

In 1850, the church was born through a faithful five-member congregation that met in an old log-style structure near its present-day location.

“The logged building was donated by the James Corley family, and was a blessing to the early church,” Senior Pastor Rev. Mack McDowell said. “It was rather old when it was donated and wasn’t of great need to the Corley family, but was of great value to this church.”

During the Civil War era, the log church withstood Sherman’s troops when they engaged Lexington with fire; it is said that the troops assumed the log structure was not of much value to the community.

McDowell attributes the early church’s protection as a “blessing of humility,” as no flame was ever set to the log structure.

The congregation continued to grow because of the church’s reputation for humility and sincerity in serving the community.

The building was then replaced with a wooden structure in 1875. The congregation quickly grew and expanded into a brick sanctuary in 1910.

While their church structure is beautiful, the church body believes their mission and ministry are to reach those outside of the church’s walls. The congregation is passionate about serving the community and being a witness to God’s love.

While the congregation has many areas in which they come together and serve, they are proud of their program that partners with local schools. Started in 2006, the church’s Snack Sack program partners with local schools to help students who face food insecurity at home.

Just in the last school year, 950 snack sacks were provided by the LUMC body. They also partner with groups like Mission Lexington, Epworth Children’s Home and Habitat for Humanity.

“Our church body is very passionate, and are ready to serve,” Associate Pastor Rev. Meegian Gossard said. “From our elders to our youth, the passion to serve is there.”

Lexington United Methodist is also home to a preschool program that has been a part of the community for many years and has been a blessing to young families, church leaders say.

According to church records, most of the children who attend the preschool are not from families that are members of the church. There’s a good mix of children attending whose families do and do not attend LUMC routinely.

The church also hosts groups like Scouting America, Girl Scouts and support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Family Groups. While the church makes a difference with the bigger causes, they also believe that the Lord’s work can be found in the smaller details.

Strategically located on the side of the church, directly across from the exits of the Lexington courthouse, they have a blessing box that is stocked with food, toiletry items and water to bless locals.

“The location is perfect because if there is an individual who just had their life drastically changed after leaving the courtroom, there is our blessing box right in front of them,” McDowell said.

“This has become a churchwide operation,” Gossard said. “Our volunteers stock this blessing box multiple times a day, and we can’t keep it full.”

According to the church’s records, there is an individual seeking assistance through the blessing box about every fifteen minutes.

“You can look at this church from the outside and see that we don’t have the tallest steeple, the prettiest landscaping or the largest church architectural footprint in town,” McDowell said. “But the ministry and impact of this church is giant.”

Lexington United Methodist will host a 175th Anniversary Celebration on Sept. 7, 2025.

This event will feature a 10 a.m. worship service and will be followed by a luncheon that includes entertainment and informational displays.

The congregation invites the community to attend the anniversary celebration to honor its legacy of worship, service and community. Ticket information can be found by calling the church office at 803-359-6838.

The church is located at 309 E. Main St. in Lexington.