On a quiet stretch of North Cascade Drive in Woodburn, Oregon, the same congregation that first gathered in a log schoolhouse on French Prairie in 1858 still opens its doors every Sunday morning. Woodburn United Methodist Church carries a promise older than most of its neighbors: "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." That promise, featured on the church's billboards, television ads, and computer banners since 2001, sets the tone for a congregation that has rebuilt after fire and storm, shared its sanctuary with Spanish-speaking neighbors, and woven itself into the civic life of the Woodburn community for more than 160 years.
Worship on Sundays at 11:00
The English-language Sunday service takes place at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary and runs about an hour. Pastor Karen Shimer describes herself as a half-time pastor with a full-time heart for following Jesus, and her services weave music, meaningful liturgy and prayers, and reflection on Scripture into a single, blended hour of worship. The service is also livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, so those who cannot attend in person can join from home. Communion is observed on the first Sunday of each month.
A Sanctuary Shared with Two Hispanic Congregations
Woodburn UMC is, in a very practical sense, three churches under one roof. The building at 700 North Cascade Drive is shared with two Spanish-language faith communities that use the Sanctuary, Chapel, and Nursery on a weekly schedule. Caminando Con Cristo holds its Sunday worship service at 9:00 a.m. and gathers for worship team practice and teaching during the week. El Lirio de Los Valles Ministerio Apostolico meets Sunday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and several evenings during the week. The arrangement reflects what the congregation calls its commitment to community and resilience, and it means that worship in Spanish and English happens side by side in the same rooms week after week.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
The three-word promise is more than a slogan. It frames how the congregation understands itself:
- Open Hearts - The church welcomes and embraces everyone, believing in the inherent worth of every individual.
- Open Minds - Members seek to understand and appreciate diverse perspectives and ideas, fostering a spirit of learning and growth.
- Open Doors - The congregation strives to be accessible and available, offering support and service to the community and beyond.
The mission statement distills the same idea into a single line: "Building peace and harmony through unity." The larger United Methodist mission, "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world," is also stated on the site. Theologically, Woodburn UMC is rooted in the teachings of John Wesley, the eighteenth-century preacher whose emphasis on faith, grace, and service continues to shape the congregation's identity. Core Christian beliefs in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible are taught alongside a Wesleyan focus on grace and social justice.
The Long Walk from 1858
The history of Woodburn United Methodist Church is, in many ways, a history of rebuilding. Services began in 1858 in a log schoolhouse on French Prairie; that building burned in 1861 and worship moved to another log schoolhouse near what is now Belle Passi Cemetery. By 1876 the congregation had settled into the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Woodburn.
In 1891 the Methodist Episcopal Church was officially incorporated by Samuel Layman, P.L. Kenady, and J.M. Poorman, and a new church building was completed and dedicated that same year. A parsonage described at the time as "one of the finest in the city" was built in 1895; a new wing and refurbished basement followed in 1897, and the building was fully paid off in 1898. During World War I, forty-four young congregants joined the war effort while others supported Red Cross activities and Liberty Loan drives. The Ladies Aid had been formed in 1890, and the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies, organized around 1906, eventually became the Federated Women of the Episcopal Church in 1929. The seventieth anniversary in 1928 was celebrated with an all-day meeting.
A fire destroyed the 1891 building in 1948. The congregation met in the local high school and library until a new building was dedicated in 1956, then moved again into the Simon Mortuary chapel while a still larger sanctuary was constructed and dedicated in 1975. A violent windstorm tore off the sanctuary skylight in November 1981, sending services back into the Fellowship Hall until a new roof was finished. A five-alarm fire in 1989 led to an extensive million-dollar rebuilding effort. In 1999 a time capsule was sealed into the brickwork, scheduled to be opened in 2058 to celebrate two hundred years of Methodism in Woodburn. Most recently, in 2011, a corner of the sanctuary roof collapsed and worship moved once more into the Fellowship Hall during reconstruction.
Forming Faith Together
Formation happens in several small, consistent settings. The Adult Forum meets Sundays at 9:00 a.m. on Zoom for open discussion of a variety of faith topics. Bible Study with the Pastor gathers on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m., also via Zoom. Both groups are open to newcomers, with meeting links posted on the church site.
Women in the congregation are part of United Women in Faith, a national United Methodist organization whose mission is "to connect and nurture women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, creative fellowship and education so that they can inspire, influence and impact local and global communities." The local unit acts for women, children, and youth through compassionate service and advocacy, and it organizes major gatherings like the Annual Holiday Bazaar.
"Who's on Third?" - A Community Concert Series
One Saturday afternoon each month, the Sanctuary fills with music as part of the church's "Who's on Third?" Community Concert Series. Held at 3:00 p.m. with free admission and freewill donations, the series has featured an award-winning women's a cappella chorus fresh from international competition (The Pride of Portland), a Christmas show by Kim and Terry Campbell, folk-gospel-bluegrass tunes from the Feely Family, the Conchords Chorale's spring program, and singer Debra Huddleston with friends. The Willamette Valley Big Band is also on the calendar. Concerts are open to the wider community and serve as a kind of mid-month gathering place for Woodburn and the surrounding area.
Serving Woodburn and Beyond
The congregation's community involvement stretches back decades. In earlier years the church hosted the Woodburn Senior Center and supplied volunteers for the S.M.A.R.T. reading program. Today the list of regular partnerships is long:
- Hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on the church grounds.
- Supporting two Hispanic congregations that meet in the building each week.
- Participating in the Woodburn Relay for Life.
- Partnering with Habitat for Humanity.
- Contributing to the AWARE food bank.
- Collaborating with Love INC.
The annual Holiday Bazaar, organized through United Women in Faith, fills the first weekend of December with handmade crafts, baked goods, and a volunteer-made lunch, drawing neighbors from across the Woodburn area.
The Porch Pickup Program
One of the newest outreach efforts is also one of the simplest. Through a partnership with Just Porch It, anyone in the community can schedule a free, no-contact pickup of clothing, shoes, linens, accessories, and small household items by leaving bags on their porch. Just Porch It then makes a donation to Woodburn UMC, and the items themselves are redistributed to local nonprofits or recycled responsibly. The program turns everyday household clutter into support for the church's ministry and the wider community.
Staff and Leadership
The congregation is served by Pastor Karen Shimer, who is shared half-time with another appointment and is the primary preacher and teacher for the English-language service. Rosemary Franceschini serves as Office Manager and is the main point of contact during published working hours (Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.). Rhonda Judson serves as Treasurer.
Practical Information for Visitors
The church sits at 700 North Cascade Drive, Woodburn, Oregon 97071. Sunday morning begins with the Adult Forum on Zoom at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Caminando Con Cristo service in Spanish at 9:00 a.m. in person, the English-language worship service at 11:00 a.m., and El Lirio de Los Valles in Spanish at 1:00 p.m. Midweek formation happens on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. The Sanctuary is also home to the monthly "Who's on Third?" community concert on Saturday afternoons. Office hours, the Zoom meeting link, the YouTube livestream, the calendar of events, and a contact form are all kept current on the church's online pages. Parking is available on site at the North Cascade Drive location.
After 167 years, three fires, a windstorm, and countless acts of repair, Woodburn United Methodist Church remains what it has always been: a French Prairie congregation that opens its doors to its town.