At 188 Rocky Rest Road, at the corner of Long Hill Avenue and Rocky Rest Road in Shelton, First United Methodist Church of Shelton is known for a history that began in 1882, inclusive Sunday worship with Holy Communion, and service that reaches beyond the church through food support, youth mission trips and longstanding Scout programs. The congregation worships at 10 a.m. every Sunday and gathers for hospitality afterward in Wilkinson Hall.
Sunday at Ten, Then Wilkinson Hall
Sunday worship begins at 10:00 a.m. and continues through the summer. The congregation meets in person and broadcasts the same service live on YouTube at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Holy Communion is part of the service, and a worship outline helps participants follow along. Recorded worship is generally available a few days after each broadcast for people who cannot attend in person.
Sunday School classes meet at 10:15 a.m. during worship from September through June. The 10:00 a.m. service itself has no childcare.
Fellowship Time begins at 11:15 a.m. in Wilkinson Hall. Coffee, drinks, snacks and conversation are part of the welcome. Pastor Juhye Hahn invites people to stay after worship for hospitality and to get to know the congregation.
The church is on Rocky Rest Road with its driveway on that road. Both Rocky Rest Road and Long Hill Avenue connect with Connecticut Route 110. The church and Fellowship Hall are wheelchair accessible, and accessible restrooms are available.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Four commitments shape the church's shared life: being a welcoming family of God; seeking to become more and more like Jesus Christ; growing in faith, knowledge and love of God; and, empowered by the Holy Spirit, serving God by serving others throughout the community and the world. Its motto is Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
The church affirms and respects each person as a child of God and celebrates each person's uniqueness. Its welcome includes people of every age, ethnicity and race, sexual orientation and gender identity, marital status, socioeconomic situation, and physical or mental ability. People are invited into full participation in the life and ministry of the church, wherever they are on their faith journey.
Pastor Juhye Hahn describes the congregation as multigenerational and multicultural. The church also acknowledges that it is largely a congregation of older adults while emphasizing that younger people are actively welcome and encouraged to help shape the next stage of its life.
In the United Methodist tradition, Hahn says, Christianity is both piety and action. The congregation worships, prays, sings, studies God's Word and celebrates Baptism and Holy Communion, then carries faith into service. Its members are described as the hands and feet of Christ, making a difference through feeding ministries, mission work and community partnerships.
Scattergood Roots and a Church on Coram Avenue
The church traces its beginning to the Scattergood mission, an undenominational organization that met on the property where the post office now stands. Baptist members withdrew first and formed the nucleus of the present Baptist church organization. The remaining members deeded the mission property to the Methodist Episcopal Church, creating the path for a Methodist congregation in Shelton.
The church was organized on September 17, 1882. Thirty people signed its charter, and the new congregation had six probationers and 32 members. John E. Wildey was the first pastor in charge. Willis Cooper followed in 1883 as membership continued to grow.
Because the congregation needed a larger building, the Bennett lot on Coram Avenue was purchased in 1886. Plans were drawn in 1888, ground was broken that July, and the building was formally dedicated on June 29, 1890, by Bishop Daniel Goodsell. The Beardsley Company built it. Christian Endeavor was formed during this period, while the Ladies Aid gave substantial energy and financial support. A parsonage was contracted in 1892, furnished by the Ladies Aid and dedicated in 1894.
Improvements continued over the decades. Electric lights replaced gas flames in 1899. Electricity, an Estey organ, chimes and a hardwood floor were added during the 1920s, and the first Christmas candlelight service was held in 1922. A major 1944 renovation installed a furnace, created an organ room and redesigned the chancel with a center aisle. The congregation then numbered 315, with 110 enrolled in Sunday School. Its 75th anniversary was observed in 1957.
Sixteen Years in the Hall, Then a New Sanctuary
By 1964, the church had served on Coram Avenue for 74 years. Additional parking and more room for Sunday School were needed, so the conference purchased property on Long Hill Avenue in 1963. Groundbreaking for what became Wilkinson Hall began on November 3, 1963, its cornerstone was laid in May 1964, and its first service was held on August 23. A new parsonage was dedicated on the northeast corner of the property in September 1966.
After 16 years of Sunday worship in Fellowship Hall, the congregation dedicated its new sanctuary on November 23, 1980. Members and leaders formed a procession into the new worship space, burned the building mortgage and dedicated the baptismal font, lectern, pulpit and altar to holy use.
Sanctuary gifts continued to enrich the building. The Rainear family donated chimes; artists created wall hangings; the Fellowship Hall was renamed Wilkinson Hall; and families were remembered through named pews and crosses. Seven stained-glass windows were installed through congregational gifts, and air-conditioning was added through a gift from Esther Swist.
Hospitality has long been part of the church's outreach. Under the pastorate of Joseph Piccirillo beginning in 1996, Tomato Festivals, Lenten fish fries and Fall Fun Fests brought neighbors into the life of the congregation. Diane McClanahan became the church's first female pastor in 2002, followed by Heather Sinclair in 2006. In 2009, Ximena A. Varas became the congregation's first Certified Lay Minister.
Choir Practice, Classes, and Confirmation
Music has a central place in worship. Music Director Lynn Scully leads a dedicated choir that rehearses at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays, and Joseph McWilliams serves as organist and pianist. Musicians of differing abilities are welcome to join; willingness to serve, learn and share talent matters more than musical polish. Singing also extends into confirmation, youth retreats and mission trips.
Linda Loglisci coordinates children's education and Sunday School. The church also awards annual Educating and Equipping for Life Scholarships to members with an active church life who are continuing their education. First United Methodist Church of Shelton identifies as a Safe Sanctuary church.
Confirmation is understood as a continuation of the faith journey begun at baptism and the beginning of a covenant relationship with the church. Young people over 13 who had infant baptisms may join the class. Confirmation involves worship, regular meetings with a mentor, participation in another Christian education setting and attendance at a conference or district retreat. Classes generally last six months and prepare participants for Christian discipleship.
MYF is the church's youth fellowship for people in seventh grade or older. It meets every other Sunday at 2 p.m. and centers on growing in love of God and one another, learning the ministries of the church and finding ways to serve. Young people can also participate in Emmaus retreats and U.M.ARMY mission trips.
The Blessing Box and Ladles of Love
A Blessing Box in the church parking lot is available to all and is one of the congregation's most direct outreach efforts. The Ladles of Love Pantry welcomes nonperishable food, hygiene products and cleaning supplies. Although a collection is traditionally held on the third Sunday of each month, donations may be brought at any time. Cash gifts are used to purchase grocery store gift cards so families can obtain perishable food.
The Mission Team meets on the third Monday of each month in the Giffin Room. Its work includes a monthly food collection with the Shelton Food Bank and a monthly meal for residents of Spooner House, a local homeless shelter. The congregation also supports Area Congregations Together in its efforts to provide food and shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
Mission giving extends to Wesley Village, the Salvation Army, TEAM and the Binghamton Children's Home through Christmas donations. The church also takes part in Operation Christmas Child, Angel Tree, Imagine No Malaria, Special Sunday Giving, the Souper Bowl and other United Methodist mission priorities.
Locally and globally, hunger remains a central concern. The congregation participates in the Greater Bridgeport Area CROP Hunger Walk, supports local food banks and contributes to anti-poverty work around the world. United Methodist Committee on Relief responds to emergency needs internationally, while youth hunger programs such as the Souper Bowl and 30 Hour Famine connect service with education.
Emmaus Weekends and U.M.ARMY Work Trips
Emmaus weekends give high school students a short course in Christian life through talks, small groups, music, fellowship and reflection. Candidates are generally students in grades 9 through 12 and come from varied church backgrounds. Adult and teen team members share leadership, while two or three ordained clergy serve as spiritual directors. Participants are encouraged to continue growing in the Christian community where they regularly worship.
U.M.ARMY mission trips bring youth and adults together for a week of Christ-centered service. Teams stay with a host church and begin and end each day in worship. Their work includes lawn care, small home repairs and construction of wheelchair ramps. The experience is designed both to serve people who cannot perform the work themselves and to encourage spiritual growth and leadership development in young people and adults.
Scouts, Care, and Community Fellowship
The church is home to Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Girl Scout meetings. Boy Scouts have met there since 1924, Girl Scouts since 1929, and Explorer Scouts have also been part of the building's ministry. A Boy Scout bottle and can drive is held every month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Membership Care and Visitation ministries maintain connection with people who are shut in through friendship, care and practical support. The Hospitality Team oversees Sunday fellowship and assists with funerals, memorial services, repasts and receptions. A separate Facility Use Team coordinates rentals for individuals and groups while helping renters follow the terms of their agreements.
Over its long history, the church has hosted blood banks, Vacation Bible Schools, ecumenical services, Emmaus youth retreats, district and conference gatherings, and worship by other Christian communities. This variety reflects a church whose worship has repeatedly opened its doors to neighbors and organizations beyond its own congregation.
Financial participation is supported through secure online giving through ChurchTrac. Members can establish recurring contributions or make one-time gifts, using credit or debit cards, ACH transfers or text messages. One-time gifts support the church's missions and ministries, while members may also manage pledges and tithes.
At the corner of Long Hill Avenue and Rocky Rest Road, First United Methodist Church of Shelton continues its mission to grow in faith, knowledge and love of God and, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to serve God by serving others throughout the community and the world.