First United Methodist Church of Orange is rooted in the heart of Old Towne Orange at 161 S. Orange Street. Founded in 1873 by a group of pioneering Methodists, it has long been a gathering place for worship, learning, and service, and its historic sanctuary continues to anchor a progressive, inclusive, Christ-centered congregation. Sunday worship is at 10:30 a.m., with a worship tradition that pairs liturgy, hymns, choir, Scripture, prayer, and messages that connect God's story to everyday life.
Faith and Community in Old Towne Orange Since 1873
The church's purpose is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Rooted in the deep traditions of the United Methodist Church and guided by the Spirit, it understands following Jesus as embodying love, justice, and compassion in every part of life. The congregation holds that faith grows through honest questions, celebrates diversity, and makes welcome something to practice. Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Ben Camp guides individuals along their spiritual journey and shares in the church's preaching and pastoral work.
That welcome reaches across ages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and life experiences. LGBTQ+ people are welcomed, wanted, and empowered, with full inclusion from worship and small groups to church leadership. The church calls for radical hospitality, pursuit of justice, and tangible expressions of God's love. An open table, a listening ear, and a place to belong remain central to its life.
A Sanctuary Where Tradition Meets a Fresh Spirit
At 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, worship combines the richness of tradition with a welcoming and fresh spirit. The service includes beautiful liturgy, hymns, choir music, Scripture, prayers, and a message that connects God's story to everyday life. The Sanctuary Choir's repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary, giving the service both a traditional foundation and a broad musical range.
Visitors receive a warm greeting but are not asked to stand or introduce themselves, so they can engage at their own pace. Dress is deliberately relaxed: jeans and T-shirts are as welcome as Sunday best.
Three city-owned lots sit adjacent to the church building. Two can be accessed from Orange Street between Almond and Chapman, and a third from Grand Street between the same streets. Visitors can also use Orange Street or Grand Avenue in three-hour increments. Weekly worship is livestreamed through the church's live worship service, and past services are available on YouTube.
Children Welcome in Every Part of Worship
Children are woven into Sunday worship rather than treated as an afterthought. All ages from 0 to 99 are welcome, and wiggly children are explicitly included in that invitation. Activity-focused kids worship bulletins are available in the narthex for young worshipers to use during the service, and ushers are ready to help families find them.
A safe, loving childcare space serves children in the 0-5th grade range throughout worship. It is across the patio from sanctuary doors in the church's kids room. Children may also train to serve as acolytes and participate in the team that makes worship happen. The church's preschool is Downtown Orange Preschool.
Music With a Place in the Service
Music occupies a substantial role in worship. The Sanctuary Choir, open to high-school-age singers through adults, rehearses Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and prepares worship anthems ranging from classical to contemporary. It also prepares special presentations during the Christmas and Easter seasons. Michael Short has served as music director since 1988 and directs the choir.
The Spectrum Bell Choir is open to high-school-age ringers and adults, including experienced bell ringers and those with a basic knowledge of reading music. It rehearses immediately after Sunday worship, except on Communion Sundays, and plays in worship about once every two months. Sylvia Coussa has directed the handbell program since 2006, bringing extensive experience as an organist, choir singer, and teacher into the planning of music for worship.
Women's Fellowship, Quilting, and Men's Conversation
United Women in Faith offers several recurring ways to gather. Its general meeting is typically held on the second Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m. in Messenger Hall, with a program, business meeting, and lunch open to women of the church. Joy Circle meets on the third Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room for fellowship, refreshments, devotions, a short program, and an invitation to share a recent JOY.
The UWF Quilting Guild meets every Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. in Room 208 of the Education Building. No special quilting skills are needed: members thread needles, tie knots, and use sewing machines to make quilts that are donated to church events, women's shelters, and other organizations. New members are always welcome.
The Men's Ministry gathers on the third Sunday of each month from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Its format combines devotion, guided discussion, and pastries, with Richard Rohr's On the Threshold of Transformation often serving as a conversational foundation. Guest speakers occasionally add fresh perspective, while the central aim remains connection, spiritual growth, and support among men at different stages of faith.
Stephen Ministry for One-to-One Care
Stephen Ministry extends the church's care through one-to-one relationships. Church members who want to serve receive 50 hours of initial training in caring ministry skills and concepts, then are commissioned as Stephen Ministers. They visit people regularly and reliably, offering Christian emotional and spiritual support under supervision from trained Stephen Leaders, while preserving the confidentiality of the caring relationship.
Support is available to people in the congregation and community during difficult seasons, including illness, grief, loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, job loss, and major life transitions. Stephen Ministers also take part in continuing education and skill building. Wayne Nash serves as a Stephen Minister Leader and provides supervision within the ministry.
Love, Justice, and a Faith That Reaches Beyond the Sanctuary
The church's outward commitment takes several forms. Its quilts support women's shelters and other organizations, while its advocacy for justice and compassionate service shape its life beyond worship. The congregation joins God in the work of healing and renewing the world, beginning in Orange. Across worship, relationships, service, and advocacy, it seeks to embody Christ's radical hospitality.
The Orange Methodist Foundation provides a way for gifts to continue serving religious, charitable, and educational needs. Contributions are invested, and only the interest is used, preserving the original gift while continuing to fund the church's work. The foundation also welcomes consideration for estate planning and memorial giving. Giving is available through the church's online giving option.
An Open Table and a Place to Belong
First UMC of Orange pairs a progressive and inclusive welcome with a worship life rooted in Scripture, prayer, historic tradition, and music. Founded in 1873 and still marked by its historic sanctuary, the congregation remains committed to making disciples, pursuing justice, and embodying love, justice, and compassion in Old Towne Orange.