Philadelphia United Methodist Church sits along Highway 160 West in Fort Mill, South Carolina, just off I-77 near the Baxter Village community and the Sutton Road intersection. The congregation has worshipped in this part of York County since 1832, and what began as a small rural meeting has grown into a full program of Sunday worship, music, formation and outreach that serves families, youth, adults and older adults across the Fort Mill area. Its motto, "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors," sums up a long-standing welcome for anyone who walks through the main entrance under the portico.
Sundays at 11:00 AM
One worship service gathers in the sanctuary each Sunday morning at 11:00 AM. The service is livestreamed on Facebook and on the church website, so anyone who cannot be present in person can still follow along at home or on the road.
The order of worship is rooted in the United Methodist tradition. Each service begins with a welcome and announcements, followed by a musical prelude played by the church pianist. After an opening prayer, the congregation sings traditional hymns drawn from the United Methodist Hymnal. Children are invited forward to the chancel steps for a children's sermon, after which they may go to Kids' Church. The senior pastor delivers the sermon most weeks, with occasional guest preachers filling the pulpit. The words to the hymns and the Scripture references appear on monitors at the front of the sanctuary so the whole congregation can worship together.
One Sunday each month, the format shifts. The CORE, the church's contemporary praise band, leads music and message for that service, featuring keyboard, rhythm and bass guitar, drums, and a team of vocalists supported by sound specialists. The blend of traditional and contemporary gives the same congregation two ways to engage with the same Lord on different Sundays.
Planning a First Visit
Greeters wearing name tags stand just inside the main entrance under the portico. They are ready to point visitors toward the nursery, children's classrooms and restrooms, and to introduce anyone who wants to meet the pastor. A welcome table near the entrance holds the church's monthly newsletter and other materials for newcomers.
There is no dress code. On any given Sunday, attendees wear everything from dresses and suits to jeans and t-shirts. The sanctuary includes wheelchair-accessible pews and hearing assistance devices, and an usher will gladly help with either. There is plenty of seating, and visitors are invited to sit wherever they feel most comfortable.
Children from six weeks through twenty-four months are cared for in the nursery all morning. Preschool through fifth grade attend Sunday School at 10:00 AM, then return with their families for the 11:00 AM service and Kids' Church. Sixth through twelfth graders have their own Sunday School class during the same hour. Four adult Sunday School classes meet during that same window, so there is a place for every member of the household.
In addition to the regular Sunday morning rhythm, the church marks the Christian year with seasonal services on Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter (with a Sunrise Service in the cemetery and Celebration Services later in the morning), and All Saints Sunday.
Rooted in Fort Mill Since 1832
The congregation has worshipped in and served Fort Mill since 1832. The church was incorporated on January 1, 1992, but its story stretches back nearly two centuries. While the surrounding community has grown and the building itself has changed, the mission to "radiate and share the Light and Love of Jesus Christ" has remained steady. The longer tenured staff member, Office Manager Denise Watson, has watched that growth firsthand since she joined the team in June 1993, moving with the church from a small rural meeting with one weekly service to a congregation that holds multiple worship services in traditional and contemporary formats and hosts Wednesday night meals and programs throughout the year.
Beyond Sunday mornings, the church operates as a community hub. The fellowship hall hosts Wednesday night meals, the choir rooms buzz with midweek rehearsals, and the sanctuary is often full on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter.
Pastor Tammy Grey
In June 2025, Pastor Tammy Grey was appointed by the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church to serve as the pastor of Philadelphia United Methodist Church. She is an ordained Elder in Full Connection, a status she received in 2021 after being commissioned as an Elder in 2018.
Pastor Tammy grew up in Lakeland, Florida, where her faith was nurtured at First United Methodist Church of Lakeland. She served as a summer camp counselor at Warren W. Willis United Methodist Camp and joined local and international mission trips that helped shape her heart for service. She graduated from Florida Southern College in 2000 with a double major in Religion and Sociology, then spent several years in social work and in children's and youth ministry before entering Asbury Theological Seminary in 2007. She earned her Master of Divinity in 2012. She later served as Director of Programs at Virginia Wingard United Methodist Church in Columbia, South Carolina, and as pastor of Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Irmo before coming to Fort Mill.
Pastor Tammy preaches most Sundays at PUMC and preaches the monthly CORE contemporary service as well. Her ministry is marked by a passion for discipleship, community connection, and helping others grow in their relationship with Christ alongside a heart for mission and serving both locally and globally.
Music from Chancel Choir to CORE
Music holds a central place at PUMC. Three adult ensembles rehearse on Wednesdays, and three children's ensembles rehearse alongside them, so the whole building hums with music midweek.
The Chancel Choir is a non-auditioned group of singers of all musical abilities, from seasoned choral singers to those new to the ensemble. It provides anthems, hymn support and seasonal cantatas for the traditional worship service and special services throughout the church year. It rehearses on Wednesdays from 7:15 to 8:15 PM in the Choir Room under Music Director David Hodges.
The CORE is the church's contemporary praise band, featuring keyboard, rhythm guitar, bass guitar, drums, vocalists and a sound team. CORE leads music for the monthly contemporary Sunday service and rehearses on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the sanctuary under Mark Gannon.
The Jubilate Handbell Choir is a volunteer ensemble open to anyone who wants to work with a smaller group of musicians. It shares the glorious sound of bells at several Sunday services throughout the year and at seasonal services. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 6:45 PM in the Disciples Classroom under David Hodges.
David Hodges, the music director, grew up in Ware Shoals, South Carolina, between Greenwood and Greenville. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Music in Performance from Winthrop University. He has served churches through music ministry since 2004, teaches trumpet privately at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, performs with the Union Symphony Orchestra in Monroe, North Carolina, and is an unabashed Gamecock football fan.
Children's Music and the Chime and Bell Choirs
Three ensembles give the church's youngest musicians a place to grow. Philly Chimes is the hand-chime choir for third grade and up, rehearsing Wednesdays from 5:15 to 6:00 PM under Molli Moon. Joyful Noize Vocal Choir gathers kindergartners through fifth graders on Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:00 PM under Rebecca Pollack. Beginner Bells introduces kindergartners through second graders to handbells using smaller, color-coded instruments, rehearsing Wednesdays from 5:15 to 5:45 PM under David Hodges. Children can simply show up at a Wednesday rehearsal, or a family can fill out an interest form in advance. The choirs perform several times during worship across the fall, winter and spring seasons, and present Christmas and Spring concerts each year.
Children, Nursery and Family Ministry
Children and their families are an active, vital part of the PUMC community. The Children's Ministry uses The Biggest Story Curriculum to teach kids about the Bible and how God has used the Israelites, and ultimately Jesus, to save the world from evil, sin and death. Each week, children hear a Bible story, do a related craft or activity, and watch a video lesson with the church's mascot, Shawn the Sheep.
The nursery cares for infants from six weeks old through two-year-olds in a dedicated space staffed by paid, screened staff and supported by volunteers. Toddlers enjoy crafts, books, prayers and songs while their parents attend worship or Sunday School.
Beyond Sunday mornings, children and families take part in Kids' Church during the 11:00 AM service, the annual Rainforest Falls Vacation Bible School (held June 22 to 25, 2026, from 9:30 AM to noon), and church family gatherings such as picnics and movie nights. A Children's Services Video Library offers weekly online content, including Shawn the Sheep and Friends Stories, PUMC Kid Videos, Sunday School lessons, and The Adventures of LEGO Shawn the Sheep.
The Family Ministry partners with all forms of families in raising children to be disciples of Jesus and embracing the Bible stories in their faith formation, providing a safe space for parents, guardians and children to ask questions and grow together. The church's Safe Sanctuary policy is reviewed annually, and all employees and volunteers working with children and youth must undergo a background check and follow the policy.
PYG: Philadelphia Youth Group
Middle and high schoolers from sixth through twelfth grade have their own ministry, the Philadelphia Youth Group, known as PYG. The group's mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by helping youth and their families worship in love, grow in love and serve in love. PYG offers a safe and fun environment where teens explore their faith in relationship with Jesus Christ, their peers and adult mentors.
Jessica Inman, who has been a member of PUMC since 2016, returned to youth ministry at the church in 2023. She and her husband Jeremy have two children, Jackson and Kate, and have led ministries such as Room In The Inn and Sleep In Heavenly Peace at the church.
The youth program's foundational beliefs rest on four commitments: every teen is created and loved by God, the home is the primary place where faith and values are lived out, every family is part of the bigger story God is telling, and raising healthy teens takes a community of caring people. PYG cultivates mentoring connections between teens and caring adults while building a community of friendship and support for parents and families. Confirmation is offered as teens grow older, and the church provides parent resources and a steady calendar of upcoming youth events.
Life Groups Across the Week
Philadelphia United Methodist Church runs an extensive small-group ministry called Life Groups, with groups meeting online and in person "every day, every week, for everyone." Director of Discipleship Nicolas Gold helps newcomers find the right fit.
Four adult Sunday School classes meet at 10:00 AM each Sunday. The Disciples Class gathers in Room 106 and is mostly attended by adults over sixty, including singles and married couples. The Infusion Class meets in Room 154 and is designed for newcomers to adult Sunday School who want a relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere. The Logos Class meets in Room 122, with no lesson book, no required reading and no verses to memorize, drawing mostly retired adults without children at home. The Seekers Class meets in Room 104 and is multi-generational, often joined by young adult college students when they are home, committed to seeking God's will, Christian knowledge, spiritual growth and Biblical understanding.
On Fridays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, the Ladies Bible Study meets in Room 106 for fellowship, fun and study. Three monthly women's circles round out the week. Friends in Christ (FIC) meets the second Friday of the month from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, sending cards and keeping up with those who are ill. J.R. Jones (JRJ) meets the third Tuesday in the late morning or early evening, partnering with Tender Hearts to provide help, shelter and a safe environment for women in need. Ruth Adkins Circle (RAC) meets the third Saturday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, hosting the Pancake Packing Party for Operation Christmas Child and the annual Graduation Celebration.
Men gather for Men in the Mirror on the second Saturday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall, focusing on spiritual answers for the concerns of Christian men over coffee and breakfast biscuits. Senior Friends meets the second Tuesday of the month from 11:00 to noon in the Fellowship Hall, providing fellowship for those sixty and older through guest speakers, games, outings and shared meals.
Short-term studies have included the six-week Mere Christianity study for adults and the Prince Caspian study for kids, both based on books by C. S. Lewis. Future short-term studies include The Third Day, The Book of Ephesians, and Financial Peace University.
Beyond Our Doors: Missions and Outreach
Serving others is at the heart of PUMC's calling. The Missions Team works with groups across the Fort Mill area to give every age and ability a way to serve, alongside United Methodist Men, United Women in Faith and the youth group.
The congregation partners year-round with Bethel Men's Night Shelter, a shelter for men that provides a safe place to sleep, an evening meal and a shower. Members support the donation center, work in the center on Monday evenings, and feed the men a hearty meal and fellowship with them about six times a year. The church's fellowship hall serves as a twelve-man overflow location for two weeks each winter, and volunteer drivers transport the men in one of Bethel's vans.
Members support the Fort Mill Care Center, which provides food, utilities and prescriptions to residents of Fort Mill. Pantry items are collected continuously at the church, and assistance is provided at Christmas through the Angel Tree.
Other ongoing partnerships include the Historic Paradise Foundation, which works to preserve the people and property of the Paradise community of Fort Mill. Through La Limye Ministries, children collect change and "silent" money on the first Sunday of each month during Wee Worship to support orphan girls of Haiti through the Christ Centered Children's Home. Operation Christmas Child joins the congregation with United Women in Faith each November to pack shoebox gifts of school supplies, toys and toiletries for children around the world. Salkehatchie Summer Service sends high school (age 14 and older) and adult volunteers to upgrade homes across South Carolina. Spread the Warmth runs from late October through November as an annual coat and warm clothing drive, with donations going to Tender Hearts Ministries and The Haven Men's Shelter. Adopt-a-Stream partners with the Town of Fort Mill to keep a local stream area clean, and the Angel Tree in December brings Christmas gifts to local children and grocery cards to their families.
Inside the Church: United Methodist Men, United Women in Faith and the Nurture Team
Within the walls of the church, several teams carry out the work of care and welcome. United Methodist Men (UMM) empowers the ministry of Jesus Christ through men of PUMC. The group invites and initiates spiritual growth opportunities for all men of the church, with avenues such as LifeGroups, missions, Bible studies, workshops, committees, Sunday School classes, youth ministries, scouting, mentoring and assisting in leading worship. The Men in the Mirror Bible study, service projects like Habitat for Humanity and support for home-bound members, the Fall and Strawberry Festivals, and fellowship events such as group dinners, bowling and sporting events fill out the calendar.
United Women in Faith is the largest denominational faith organization for women, with a purpose of knowing God, developing creative supportive fellowship and expanding concepts of mission through the global ministries of the church. At PUMC, the women organize circles, service projects such as school supply collections and Operation Christmas Child, fundraisers like Rada Knives, bake sales and the Christmas Cookie Sale, fellowship events such as Ladies' Game Night and luncheons, and self-growth programs such as Call to Prayer and Self Denial and Day Apart.
The Nurture Team is divided into ten active ministry areas that offer spiritual and physical support to congregation members. The Caregivers Support Group provides a safe place to meet, listen and learn. Caring Cards volunteers mail birthday, sympathy and encouragement cards. The FAN group (Faith, Activity, Nutrition) combines faith and health through a Tai Chi balance class, prayer walk groups, a running group and health information. Good Friends shepherds, encourages and supports new members as they plug into the life of the church. Hospital/Rehab Ministries visits members who are temporarily displaced. Lay Eucharist Ministry (LEM) brings the Sacrament of Holy Communion to those who are home-bound or in care facilities. Meal Care Ministry prepares meals and snacks during surgery recovery, illness or bereavement. The Prayer Shawl Ministry combines the love of knitting and crocheting with compassion, providing shawls, hand-held wooden crosses and prayer squares to those in need. Senior Friends is shared with the Nurture Team in addition to its own monthly meetings. The Sunshine Ministry ministers to those in nursing homes or otherwise unable to regularly attend, with each member assigned a PUMC volunteer who calls, visits and sends cards.
The Sunday Service Welcome and Greeting Ministry invites members into the work of worship itself, with roles for greeters, ushers, video and sound monitors, children's ministry leaders and assistants, acolytes (children in kindergarten through fifth grade who light and extinguish the altar candles), and lay readers.
Special Services Across the Year
In addition to Sunday mornings, PUMC marks the Christian year with services that follow the seasons of faith. Christmas Eve features a 6:00 PM candlelight service. Ash Wednesday opens Lent with imposition of ashes. Maundy Thursday brings a re-enactment of the Last Supper, with PUMC actors portraying the scene from Leonardo da Vinci's painting followed by the bread and cup of communion. Good Friday is observed with a service of Tenebrae, where Scriptures are read and the sanctuary gradually darkens, and worshipers leave in silence. Easter begins at the three crosses in the church cemetery with a Sunrise Service, transitioning to the cross at the front of the church for worshipers to decorate a living cross with live flowers; Celebration Services with special music follow later in the morning. All Saints Sunday rounds out the year with remembrance.
Other church-wide events include the annual Back to Bethlehem walk-through experience held in early December, the Fall Festival that welcomes the surrounding community to the campus and needs nearly one hundred volunteers each year, and Back to School, Hurricane Helene Supply Drive and Kindness Week moments of community engagement.
Sermons, Livestream, Giving and More Online
Sermons are recorded weekly and posted in the Services and Sermons archive, going back through years of Sunday services, special services and guest preachers. The worship service is livestreamed on Facebook and on the church's Watch Live page so members at home or away can join in real time. The Children's Services Video Library offers a regular rotation of new content.
Giving is available in several ways. Members may return cash or checks during worship or by mail to the mailing address. Online giving is handled through Vanco, with one-time or recurring gifts set up by debit, credit card or bank account. The Vanco Mobile App offers the same options from a phone. Zelle gifts can be sent to gifts@pumcfortmill.org, which is the church's preferred method of online giving because it saves the church on processing fees.
PUMC partners with Amplify Media to give members free access to a large catalogue of Christian content, including Bible studies, sermons, documentaries and TV shows. Members can register for a free account using the Congregation Access Code ZKXCTF.
The church's Outreach in Love newsletter keeps the congregation and community up to date on the life of the church. Baptisms can be requested online, sanctuary flowers can be dedicated through a sign-up form, prayer requests can be sent to the prayer chain, and the events calendar can be exported to Google Calendar, iCalendar or Outlook for easy planning.
Joining the PUMC Family
Anyone who wants to learn more about the church or explore membership is invited to reach out. New members can be shepherded through the Good Friends ministry of the Nurture Team as they search for their place in the life of the church, from mission projects to small groups to service on Sunday mornings. The church's mission statement - to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world - shapes everything from Sunday worship to Wednesday night meals, from Vacation Bible School to Operation Christmas Child, from the chancel choir to the CORE praise band.
On Highway 160 West, in a sanctuary with wheelchair-accessible pews and hearing assistance, with traditional hymns from the United Methodist Hymnal on one Sunday and contemporary praise from CORE on the next, Philadelphia United Methodist Church keeps its doors open to all who want to worship, grow and serve.