Church celebrates 10 years at the Grove in Medina
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The Medina United Methodist Church celebrated 10 years in the former Apple Grove Inn, Medina, with a reception and service on Saturday.
MEDINA – The Grove United Methodist Church on Saturday celebrated the 10th anniversary of being located in the former Apple Grove Inn.
The event started with an open house at 1 p.m. and a worship service at 2, followed by refreshments.
Kathie McMoil, a member, lay leader, chair of the board of trustees and event coordinator, headed the celebration, which was attended by former pastor the Rev. Jim Maxwell and his wife Mary and the most recent pastor, Liz Aristy.
Members of the Grove United Methodist Church chat with their former pastor, the Rev. Jim Maxwell and his wife Mary prior to a service Saturday to celebrate the church’s 10 years in the former Apple Grove Inn. From left are Kathie McMoil, the Maxwells, Jan Toal and Linda Blanc.
The Rev. Maxwell served as pastor for 12 years before retiring. He was pastor when the church, previously located on West Center Street, was identified as being in need of extensive repair.
“The brick in the old building was crumbling and it wasn’t handicap accessible,” McMoil said. “It was cost prohibitive to try and fix it, over $1 million. We established a visioning committee to look at alternatives – whether to buy land and build a new church or find an existing building and remodel it.”
Realizing it would also be very expensive to buy land and build, the committee started looking seriously for an existing building.
“We found this place, which had been vacant for several years and made the owners an offer, which they accepted,” McMoil said.
The Rev. Paul Adell and his wife Twanya greet the Rev. Mike Breuning, who participated in the Grove United Methodist Church’s 10-year celebration on Saturday by giving the re-dedication prayer.
In June 2011, the Methodists started the process of remodeling the former Apple Grove Inn. It took two and one-half years to get it into the shape it is in now, with a modern sanctuary, meeting rooms and large dining room.
Returning to the church brought back so many memories, the Rev. Maxwell said.
“I have such wonderful memories from here,” he said. “It’s good to see a growing church.”
The church’s current pastor, who started three months ago is the Rev. Paul Adell Sr. from Rochester.
He called the church “impressive.”
“We are working on our outreach ministry, assessing and evaluating the needs in the community,” the Rev. Adell said.
The Grove United Methodist Church sponsors Boy Scout Troop 28 and Cut Scout Pack 28.
In addition, a Hispanic church, Mount Sinai, meets there Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, and Alcoholics Anonymous meets there twice a week.
The church is available for parties, showers, reunions or other special events.
Regular worship is at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.
