Dixboro United Methodist Church has watched over the Village of Dixboro for more than 165 years, its sanctuary rising beside a historic one-room schoolhouse on the Village Green in the northeast corner of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Self-described as an inclusive faith community "living and serving through God's love," the church is the oldest Methodist church in Michigan with uninterrupted regular worship services, a distinction its members speak of with quiet pride.
A Sanctuary Built by the Village
Dixboro's roots stretch back to the early 1800s, when settlers such as Eldridge Gee and John Dix laid the foundations of a Methodist community in what is now the Village of Dixboro. By the mid-nineteenth century, families led by figures such as Henry S. Crippen had gathered to build the sanctuary that still stands today. On December 9, 1858, the original church was dedicated, raised entirely through community labor and support.
Through the decades, Dixboro United Methodist Church expanded in step with its congregation. A two-story addition came in 1951, completed debt-free thanks to community donations and over 6,300 volunteer hours. In 1969, a new Fellowship Hall, classrooms, and kitchen were added. Between 2006 and 2014, the sanctuary was beautifully renovated, including a rebuilt steeple and modernized worship spaces. In 2019, a new pavilion went up behind the historic schoolhouse for outdoor events and gatherings.
A Welcome That Means All
A statement from the church's Leadership Council runs straight to the heart of who Dixboro is: "We believe ALL people are created in the image of God and ALL are beloved children of God. Dixboro Church has long sought to intentionally welcome ALL persons to this family of God without boundaries of age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, economic circumstances or beliefs." The phrase "all means all" appears throughout the church's communications, and Lead Pastor Mary Butler-Loring extends that welcome each Sunday.
Pastor Mary is a lifelong United Methodist who grew up in a parsonage in Indiana. Her father was a United Methodist pastor and her mother was his partner in ministry. Her passion, she says, is to connect people to the love of God and to help them feel a sense of love and belonging. Each Sunday she invites everyone - whoever they are, whoever they love, whatever they believe - to come find their place at Dixboro UMC, because "our welcome is wide, and our table is long."
Sunday Morning at 10:30
Worship is held every Sunday at 10:30 AM, both in person and online through the church's YouTube channel. The service blends traditional hymns with contemporary praise, weaving thoughtful, spirit-filled elements into a format that is accessible for all ages and backgrounds. Most services run about an hour.
Children of all ages are welcome in worship. Each service includes a "Sermon on the Steps" time just for kids, after which children may head to Children's Church, where a team of caring adults helps them learn about God's love and grow in their faith. A nursery across the hall from Fellowship Hall is available for infants through 48-month-olds, and ushers are happy to guide families to the right room.
Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month. The United Methodist Church practices open communion, and all are welcome at Christ's table - from youngest to oldest, member or guest. Baptism is also offered to people of all ages, from infants to adults, as a visible sign of God's invisible grace and a welcome into the family of Christ.
Finding Dixboro, Parking, and What to Wear
The church sits at the corner of Church Road and Short Street, just east of US 23 and northeast of the intersection of Plymouth Road and Dixboro Road. Visitors will recognize the spot by the historic one-room schoolhouse and the Dixboro Village Green.
Free parking is available on Church Street directly in front of the church and in the lot behind the building. Enter through the large double doors on Church Street to come in at the back of the sanctuary, or use any side entrance to enter from the front. Ushers and greeters are stationed at both points to help.
There is no dress code. Suits and Sunday dress are not required. Most people come in casual to business-casual attire, and visitors can dress however they feel comfortable. Arriving five to ten minutes early gives time to find a seat and settle in.
The building is fully wheelchair accessible, with wheelchair-accessible seating, ramps and automatic doors at key entrances, accessible parking by the Fellowship Hall entrance, and easy access to restrooms and gathering spaces. After the service, guests are invited to Fellowship Hall for refreshments and conversation, and a chance to meet Pastor Mary and learn more about getting involved.
Giving is never expected from visitors. Many regular attendees give through electronic funds transfer, so the offering plate often passes without receiving a physical gift on Sunday mornings. Online giving is available through the church's secure donation page.
Music That Bridges Generations
The Music Ministry invites people of all ages and abilities to join in worship through music, blending traditional hymns with contemporary praise. Zack Belsky serves as Director of Music Ministry and as Pianist/Organist. The ministry includes a Praise Team that supports weekly worship and a Quarterly Choir that lifts its voice at special seasons of the church year.
Children, Teens, and the Wider Village
Children's Ministry is a cornerstone of Dixboro life. Each Sunday, children begin worship with their families, take part in Children's Time, and then move to Children's Church, where volunteers help them learn about God's love.
KID's For Community is a connecting ministry that links Dixboro volunteers with young families and children in the wider community. It offers crafts and service projects where families can meet one another and get to know the church. For teens, Explore offers a chance to reflect on a quote of the week, wander the market in thought, and return to express their insights through art - paint, color, and soul.
Missions and Service Opportunities
Missions at Dixboro is shaped by a desire to bring hope, restore dignity, and make the love of Jesus visible in the community and around the world. Practical service includes food collection and community service projects. Among the church's recurring fundraisers, the spaghetti dinner benefiting the Humane Society of Huron Valley is a beloved event, paired with a Trivia Night on the same evening.
Inside the church, service roles include Greeters, Ushers, Fellowship Time Hosts, Liturgists, and the Altar Team. For children and music, openings include Children's Message Leaders, Nursery Team volunteers, Children's Church helpers, Praise Team members, and Quarterly Choir singers. Behind the scenes, the Tech Team, Counters, Quarterly Deep Clean Team, and food collection volunteers keep the ministries running smoothly.
Community Groups offer a place to belong for people who are new to church, deepening their faith, or simply looking for connection. Small groups gather to connect, learn, and serve alongside others on the same journey.
The Life of the Village Green
Beyond the sanctuary, Dixboro Church plays a central role in the life of the Village Green. The Dixboro Farmers Market runs on Fridays through the warm months and draws neighbors in. Special services move outside, too: Sports Sunday on the Village Green turns the lawn into a picnic and games afternoon, and the Blessing of the Animals draws pets and their people to the green. Christmas in Dixboro and the Cookie Walk fill the December calendar with seasonal gathering.
Community groups that call the church home add to the weeknight rhythm. The Arbor Consort rehearses on Wednesdays, the Renaissance Vocal Group on Thursdays, an Indian Dance Group meets on Tuesdays, and a Rustic Italian Cooking Class gathers on Wednesdays. Each of these reflects the way Dixboro's doors are open not just to its own members, but to neighbors who want a place to gather.
Facilities for the Community
The church rents its spaces to both members and the wider community. Fellowship Hall, the kitchen, meeting rooms, and the historic sanctuary are available for meetings, celebrations, memorials, and community events. A pavilion behind the historic schoolhouse supports outdoor gatherings. Reservations are reviewed by the Pastor and Trustees before being confirmed.
What Dixboro Believes
The church confesses one God revealed in three persons: the Creator, who is Maker of all life; Jesus Christ the Redeemer, who reconciles and saves for relationship with God, one another, and all created things; and the Holy Spirit, who is "as close to us as the breath we just inhaled and exhaled" and works within the community to make it more open and loving.
The Bible is heard as God's Word, helping the congregation understand who God is and grow into a purpose of loving God and neighbor. All people are valued, and sin - the ways human beings turn away from God - is named honestly. God's grace, shown in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, is offered so that people and creation can be healed and restored.
Salvation is God's free gift, received when individuals and the whole of humanity turn toward God, repent, and accept forgiveness. Eternity is held as life with God forever, in this life and beyond. The church is the body of Christ in the world, existing to glorify God, care for one another, pursue justice, and share the Good News with all.
Leadership and Practical Details
Pastor Mary Butler-Loring serves as Lead Pastor. Zack Belsky is Director of Music Ministry and Pianist/Organist. Rev. Cathy M. Freeman serves as Minister of Mission and Nurture. Faith Freeman is Director of Technology. Janice Tuckett serves as Administrative Assistant.
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 2 PM. The address is 5221 Church Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105. The phone number is 734-665-5632, and email reaches the office at dixboroumc@gmail.com. Sermon recordings and live worship are on YouTube, and online giving is available through the church's secure donation page.
A Church That Has Held Open Doors for 165 Years
From its 1858 dedication through its rebuilt steeple and modernized sanctuary, Dixboro United Methodist Church has kept a single thread: a small village church where every person is welcomed and embraced. The sanctuary stands beside the schoolhouse on the Village Green, the doors swing open each Sunday morning at 10:30, and the welcome Pastor Mary speaks is the same one the founders meant in 1858 - wide, warm, and meant for all.