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Key Dates in the History of BUMC
Spring 1881Eagle (now Devon) Methodist Episcopal Church organized as part of Bryn Mawr-Bethesda Charge. Fall 1881 Frame Chapel erected (cost $200) opposite present Devon train station. Winter 1883 Chapel demolished by heavy snow and rain storm. May 4, 1884 Congregation reorganized as part of Salem Charge and first service held in Berwyn. (Berwyn Hall rented for church services.) Nov. 21, 1884 Lot 80 x 227 ft. extending from Church Avenue (now Main Avenue) to Waterloo purchased for $600. March 19, 1885 Berwyn named a separate Charge and first pastor appointed, the Rev. Daniel Hartman. May 5, 1887 Ground Breaking Ceremony for Berwyn Methodist Church. September 1887 Cornerstone Laying Ceremony. Dec. 30, 1888 Dedication Services for Main Avenue Church. Feb. 21, 1890 Granting of Charter of Incorporation to "Berwyn Methodist Episcopal Church" by Chester County Court. April 1, 1891 House and lot directly across from Church property on Waterloo Avenue purchased for parsonage. January, 1904 This parsonage and lot sold and new parsonage built on lot of the Church fronting on Waterloo Avenue. Nov. 18, 1923 Pipe Organ dedicated as Memorial to Rev. Alden W. Quimby, beloved pastor of the Church from March 1896 to September 23, 1922. April 1931 Excavation of basement begun by men of the Church providing needed space for fellowship and social activities. 1947-1949 Extensive interior renovations made in Church to better serve the growing congregation. June 27, 1956 Present Church property, seven and one-half acres, purchased from the Misses Coates for Berwyn Methodist Church by Philadelphia Conference Board of Missions and Church Extension. December 1956 Construction of parsonage on new Church property begun by the people of the Church under leadership of C. Miller Hoskins, President, Board of Trustees. September 1957 Ground Breaking Ceremony for Education Building - Fellowship Hall, under leadership of Howard Williams, Building Committee Chairman. May 25, 1958 Consecration of new Parsonage and Education Building-Fellowship Hall by Rev. C. Yrigoyen, District Superintendent. May 15, 1961 Sale of original Church and Parsonage to Trinity Presbyterian Church. Summer 1961 Ground floor of Education Building - Fellowship Hall completed and Parking Yard enlarged and paved under leadership of Allan Weir, Building Committee Chairman. Coates Mansion renamed Asbury House. Summer 1964 Extensive renovations made in Asbury House. Sept. 7, 1965 First Boy Scout Troop meeting held in new Scout Cabin. January 9, 1966 Ground Breaking Ceremony for new Sanctuary, under leadership of Ernest Merz and Jacob Fuchs, Building Committee Co-chairmen. Sept 18, 1966 Cornerstone Laying Service for New Sanctuary. March 12, 1967 Consecration of New Sanctuary by Bishop Fred Pierce Corson. Summer 1987 New parsonage was built on the church property. March 17, 2002 Ground was broken on for a family life center. May 4, 2003 Cornerstone was laid for a family life center. |