History

The church has a rich history. On June 9, 1862 the male members of the community of Tonawanda Falls met in a schoolhouse to organize a Methodist Episcopal Church, establishing it under the jurisdiction of the Genesee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The original membership numbered twelve. The new building was erected on the Griswold place and dedicated on October 10, 1863. Ten years later with a membership of forty, it was decided to move the church north, up the hill, and rededicated it.

For the first eight years services were held fortnightly (every 2 weeks) with an Oakfield pastor in charge. A sharing of ministers with the Alabama charge followed and the first of our full-time pastors began in 1898.

The original church was raised in 1912 to provide a basement. In the early thirties a need for more room to carry on the work of the church became evident. By June 1944 the need was stronger and finances more promising. The initiation of a church-building project by the congregation in July 1945 resulted in a most successful financial canvas. In March of 1947 the Rochester District Committee approved the building plans and the next month ground was broken. In June the cornerstone was placed. The following January our name was changed to the Indian Falls Methodist Church and properly recorded. In February of 1948 the first service was held in the new edifice with one hundred forty in attendance. This debt-free church was dedicated on May 16, 1948.

Next came the realization of a new parsonage with construction starting in August 1954, the cornerstone was placed in September 1955 and a dedication of the same in December 1957.

On July 12, 1959 ground was broken for an addition to the church, which doubled the seating capacity of the sanctuary and added nine classrooms. Consecration services were held on May 29, 1960. At the centennial celebration of our church founding on July 14, 1962 the dedication of this debt-free project was included. In 1966 Samuel Field was dedicated.

The women of the church have been organized since 1903 with the formation of a Ladies Aid and soon after a Mission Society. They then became the Woman’s Activity Group in 1946, a Woman’s Society of Christian Service in 1948, the United Methodist Women in 1973, and the present as the Women’s Fellowship Group since 2023.

In 1921 the Youth of our church became an organization called Epworth League until 1940 when they became the United Methodist Youth Fellowship. As of March 2023 they are still active as the Global Methodist Youth Fellowship.

The name of the church was officially changed in 1968 to the Indian Falls United Methodist Church as part of the formal uniting of the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Carillon bells were replaced in November 1969 and dedicated. Senior Citizen’s dinners were started with different groups from the church putting on a dinner each month for area senior citizens, and this dinner is still provided today on the 2nd Saturday of the month.

The 1970’s ushered in the first Lay Witness Weekend (1973), the dedication of a new Allen Organ (1976), the first Missionary Conference (1977), the upgrading of the heating system and the placing of a new rug in the sanctuary and several classrooms (1979).

A bus ministry and library was started in 1980 and new stained glass windows were installed in the overflow room in 1982. Hand Bells were purchased in 1985 and the driveways and parking lots were paved. The next big project was a new kitchen in the church in 1989. The Senior Choir purchased new robes in 1989.

In 1992 we had a Loss Support Group, 50-Day Adventure, and the Grace Phelps Memorial Playground was dedicated on June 28, 1992. This year we also started a junior church that led to Kids for Christ. Pew cushions were added to the sanctuary pews in 1994. Project Safety was started in 1995, and a new storage barn was started in place of the old barn that was burned in June 1993. September 8, 1966 Parish Nurses began blood pressure screening on Sunday mornings during fellowship time. In October the prayer chain was started and has continued on today. On September 21, 1998 it was voted to start a capital fund drive for an addition to make the church handicap accessible and more open.

In March 2001 the church Stewardship Campaign “Our Vision to Glorify God” began. On September 21, 2003 ground was broken for a new addition to the church, which included a narthex, offices, handicap accessible restrooms and an elevator. The Narthex was completed on September 25, 2005 with Rev. Ken Dodd as the presiding minister. The space between the former main entrance and the Narthex was turned into a Memorial Garden in 2007. The main focal point of the garden is a brick cross which includes engraved bricks of family names as well as lost loved ones. In honor of the church’s 150 years, the names of all past and present pastors with the years of service have been engraved on the cross.

Many fundraisers were held throughout the years. Some notable ones include the Strawberry Social, which has celebrated 82 years so far (as of 2026), and Maple Weekends at Hofheins Maple Moon Farms for 2 weekends in March.

The Indian Falls Global Methodist Church continues to thrive because of the people. Through dedication and commitment, the Word of God and the love of Jesus are taught, spoken, and lived. All are welcome to worship!