Our History

First United Methodist Church has a rich history, that goes from the heights of God’s Love and the faith of His people to the depths of a devastating fire that tested the resolve of the church. The beginnings of this church were when Rev. Hugh M. Jones, a pioneer preacher, joined a few prayer warriors in 1877. They met weekly wherever they could to lift up the needs of God’s people. The church was born in April, 1881, with five charter members and a pastor, Rev. Ira Wakefield. The church met in Lewis Hall which stood near 614 Main Street. By August, 1882, there were twenty-three members. The lot for the first Methodist Church in Rapid City were purchased September 27, 1882 from William S. Fanshaw for $5,000, at the site of the present Masonic Temple. The initial building also cost $5,000, and was dedicated February 12, 1885. As the congregation outgrew that building, plans were made to replace it. In 1919, the lots at the present church site were purchased, and construction began, only to be stopped for nearly two years because of on-going difficulties. The building was to cost them $81,325 to build. In 1920, Rev. R. A. Bruce, who had been a building contractor before entering the ministry, was appointed pastor, and took actual charge of the construction. The building progressed rapidly, but it cost Rev. Bruce his life! He ran a sliver into his finger doing carpenter work and in a week was dead from the infection. This building was dedicated Easter Sunday, 1922. Then, on August 18, 1957, a devastating fire left the building all but destroyed, with only an auditorium floor and the brick shell remaining. The congregation was offered the use of State Theater by the A. J. Johnson family, where they would continue to meet for two years. The new building, built over the ruins of the 1920′s structure, was contracted in October, 1958, and finished by 1960. The structure in use today has recently been remodeled. It is a symbol of how God’s people have overcome difficulties to continue His work in Rapid City.