The History of Brown Street United Methodist Church

Brown Street United Methodist Church was founded in 1851 as the Deutsche Methodist Kirche with all services being conducted in German. Originally, the church services were held in the rooms of several churches, including Trinity United Methodist and First Christian, until 1858 when the first church, a white frame structure was built at 9th and Brown Streets. The present building was constructed in the Spring of 1885 and dedicated on October 11, 1885.

In the aftermath of World War I, the name was changed to Brown Street Episcopal Methodist Church, and in 1919 the use of the German language was dropped. In 1968, with the national unification of the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren churches, the name was changed to Brown Street United Methodist Church.

During May, 1964, the Northwest Indiana Conference bought a 10 acre plot northeast of Lafayette, just off State Road 25. Four years later, in 1968, Rev. Fred Wintle of Brown Street Methodist Church was asked by the District Superintendent if he would survey the area and conduct services if a congregation could be formed. The first service was held in a tent with a total attendance of 31. During Fall of that year, services were held in the basements of several homes in the area. The people of Heritage held sevices in their new building on December 22 of that same year.

Brown Street has an abundance of activities for persons of all ages: Sunday School for all ages, young, middle, and older adult groups; Men's Prayer Breakfast and monthly Pancake Breakfast, United Methodist Women, Hope Circle, Choir, Youth Fellowship, Vacation Bible School, the Young At Heart Group (for us middle-aged folks), and various annual events (several of these are joint activities with Heritage United Methodist Church). Brown Street United Methodist is a vibrant, active church.

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