South United Methodist Church sits on Main Street in Manchester, Connecticut, where a Methodist congregation first gathered in the spring of 1790 - just six years after Methodism was formally organized in America. Today the congregation worships in a Tudor Gothic stone sanctuary completed in 1925, a building that celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. Two Sunday services, a children's and youth ministry, a contemporary praise band, and a long record of local mission work shape the life of the church. Multiple generations share the same building - young children in Sunday programs, teens in the youth ministry, working adults in small groups, and longtime members in the choir and care teams.
Two Sunday Services Under One Roof
South Church offers two distinct Sunday services that share the same church family and the same communion table.
The Traditional service begins at 9 AM in the Sanctuary. Timeless hymns are led by the Chancel Choir and accompanied by the pipe organ, with Scripture readings, prayer, and biblical preaching. The church describes the service as meaningful and reverent, a worship experience for all ages anchored in the rhythms of Christian tradition.
At 11 AM, the Coffeehouse service moves into the Café, a more relaxed setting that opened in 2012. Live contemporary music is led by the Wildfire Praise Band, with acoustic and electric guitars, drums, piano, and vocalists. Interactive Bible teaching anchors the gathering. The church welcomes newcomers and longtime members alike, describing the service as a warm and conversational place to encounter God.
On special days the two congregations join for a single 10 AM service in the Sanctuary, a joyful time of unity and celebration. Communion is shared on the first Sunday of each month, and the standing invitation is simply to come as you are.
An online service is livestreamed on Sundays at 9 AM, so members and friends near and far can join in real time. Recent services and a video archive are available for those who miss a Sunday.
Music at South Church
Music is woven into the identity of South Church. The tower chimes, housed in the sanctuary's 67-foot tower, have welcomed worshippers and filled the surrounding neighborhood with melody since the building opened in 1925. The chime set ranges from 275 to 2,000 pounds and includes the original church bell.
The Chancel Choir leads worship at the Traditional service, supported by organists Christopher Walton and Tatiana Lukyanova. On special occasions the choir offers evening concerts of classical and sacred music, and a Spring Concert is held each year.
The Wildfire Praise Band leads Coffeehouse worship with guitars, percussion, keyboards, cello, and a team of vocalists, creating an atmosphere of heartfelt praise. Music Director Earle G. Bidwell oversees the church's musical life, and a daily "Music to Begin Your Day" email shares inspiring selections with subscribers. Anyone interested in joining the music team is invited to reach out at music@southumc.com.
Children, Youth, and the Next Generation
South Church takes seriously its call to nurture the next generation. Ministry to children and youth operates under the church's Safe Sanctuary policy, a written commitment to the safety and protection of every young person in the church's care.
Children in Pre-K through Grade 5 begin worship with their families. After a brief Children's Message at the front of the sanctuary, kids are invited to the Education Wing for Children's Church, an interactive hour of lessons, crafts, and activities that bring Bible stories to life.
Youth in Grades 6 through 12 find a welcoming community of their own. The youth ministry combines Bible study, worship, mission projects, games, and what the church cheerfully describes as a snack-filled environment. Youth Sunday is observed each spring, celebrating graduating seniors and the broader children and youth ministry. Youth Ministry Coordinator Jennifer Lund oversees the program and can be reached at youth@southumc.com.
Next Generation Ministries is based at 21 Hartford Road, a building the church acquired in 2003 and renovated in 2017 to serve children, youth, and family ministries.
Hospitality and Congregational Care
A network of caring ministries supports members through both everyday rhythms and the hardest seasons of life.
The Coffee Hour between Sunday services, coordinated by Ginny Hartzog, brings the fellowship hall alive with freshly brewed coffee and homemade treats prepared by the fellowship team - a small but essential ministry of welcome.
The Funeral Food and Hospitality ministry, led by Valerie Sweene, prepares and serves meals for families during times of loss, offering comforting food and a Christ-centered welcome in the midst of bereavement. Congregational Care, under Bill McGugan, arranges transportation to medical appointments, visits those who are homebound or hospitalized, and delivers flowers as small reminders of the church's love.
Newcomer Care, also led by Bill McGugan and Brenda Langford, follows up after a first visit to help newcomers find their place. Each month, volunteers and the pastor visit three local rehab facilities to lead a hymn sing and share communion, a quiet ministry of presence.
The Décor Ministry, led by Nancy Dawson, uses creativity and thoughtful design to prepare the building for seasonal celebrations and special occasions. The Crafters, also led by Ginny Hartzog, meet on Saturday mornings throughout the year to make items for Easter and Holiday craft fairs, and to create small gifts for parishioners who can no longer attend in person.
Small Groups and Faith Formation
Small groups form the backbone of adult faith formation at South Church. The church describes them as a place to build lasting friendships, grow in faith, and thrive with others who walk the journey.
Weekly gatherings include Jesus Calling (Thursdays at 1 PM at 21 Hartford Road, facilitated by Karen Strand), the Upper Room Study (Wednesdays at 7:30 AM in the Reception Hall, led by Bill McGugan), and the Social Justice group (Sundays at 10:15 AM in Room 3A, led by Jeff Kieft, currently studying the new UMC Social Principles).
Monthly gatherings include the Christian Men's Fellowship on the first Saturday at 8 AM in Cooper Hall, led by Don Wilby, and Dinners Together, a rotating meal hosted by one of four families, facilitated by Donna Kieft and Jenn DuPont. A Grief and Hope Bereavement Support group meets Mondays at 1:30 PM in the Café, led by Carolyn Gray, Lin Daniel, and Bill McGugan. Anyone is welcome to drop in at any time.
Prayer runs through everything. A Prayer Group gathers every Tuesday at 5:30 PM in the Prayer Room, facilitated by Deb Glassey. Online prayer requests are shared promptly with the prayer team, who intercede for healing, guidance, and encouragement.
Missions and Outreach
The church's vision is to be "a mission hub of Jesus Christ, nurturing disciples to bless the community." Its mission is "empowering believers to transform their communities in the name of Jesus Christ." Local and global outreach flow from that identity.
The Little Food Pantry, small in size but filled with purpose, offers canned and dry food to neighbors in need. Volunteers known as Sewers craft dresses that travel to Africa through the "Sending Dresses with Hopes to Africa" ministry, bringing joy and dignity to girls and women across the continent. Knitters produce hats, scarves, cowls, and prayer shawls for seamen and others facing hardship, offering both physical warmth and a tangible reminder that someone remembers them.
Beyond the building, the congregation supports Rebuilding Together Manchester (a spring day of home repair for neighbors in need), the CROP Hunger Walk, Operation Christmas Child (shoebox gifts), Manchester Area Conference of Churches (MACC), and missionaries including Dr. Belinda Forbes in Nicaragua. A Fresh Expressions team serves meals at the local warming center, and the church participates in the Manchester-area Community Gardens and Composting effort.
Mission Share connects the congregation to broader United Methodist outreach - community programs, disaster relief, humanitarian aid, education, health, and clergy development. Outreach Coordinator Jeff Kieft helps guide these efforts.
The Building on Main Street
Methodism came to Manchester in the spring of 1790, when the Rev. George Roberts preached a sermon at the home of Thomas Spencer on Hartford Road. The congregation grew through the 19th century, worshiping in buildings on the site of today's Masonic Temple before dedicating its first church on the present Main Street site in 1854.
The current sanctuary was completed in 1925, the vision of A. Willard Case and his congregation. Architect Arthur Eaton Hill of Providence, Rhode Island, designed the building in Tudor Gothic style, though he passed away before its completion. Rev. Joseph Cooper served as Senior Pastor and Rev. Russell E. Waitt as Associate Pastor at the dedication. Built of local gray fieldstone and trimmed with cast stone, the church features a 67-foot tower with turreted battlements that houses the original church bell and the chime set.
The church celebrated 100 years in the building in December 2025 with a special service and luncheon. The 1854 building's education wing, expanded in the early 1970s, remains in use today. In 1958 the church purchased ten acres across Hartford Road, and the 2012 addition of the Café created a multi-purpose space for meetings, concerts, classes, and contemporary worship.
Visiting South United Methodist Church
The church sits at 1226 Main Street in Manchester, Connecticut. From I-84, take Exit 63 toward Main Street and head north about a mile; the church is on the left with a large parking lot. From I-384, take Exit 1 toward Main Street and head south about half a mile; the church is on the right. Public transit stops near Main and Center Streets place the church within walking distance of downtown Manchester.
Parking is available across Hartford Road, with mobility-friendly spaces on both sides of the building. The entire facility is wheelchair-accessible, with an on-site elevator.
The invitation is to come as you are. After the services, the Coffee Hour is a chance to meet people over homemade treats. A traditional bulletin and Coffeehouse bulletin are available online each week, and recent services can be viewed in the video archive.
The church office is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9 AM to 1 PM, and Friday from 9 AM to noon. The number to reach the office is 860.647.9141. Giving is welcomed online, by mail, in the offering plate, by texting GIVING to 860.512.7185, or through the gifts of time and service.
South United Methodist Church continues to describe itself with a simple phrase: a place where people of all ages can grow in faith, experience God's love, and find a caring community.