The 45th Anniversary of the Paoli United Methodist Church
October 2017
![Façade of the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/002.jpg)
Methodist circuit riders on horseback brought the Gospel to early settlers taming the wilderness in what was to become Paoli 200 years ago.
Time passed and as the town of Paoli grew, so did our churches. Forty-five years ago, we built our present church after the merger of two churches.
![Evangelical United Brethren Church, Paoli Indiana.](pictures/005.jpg)
![Methodist Church, Paoli Indiana.](pictures/006.jpg)
As a result of this merger, we chose a grassy field on East State Road 56.
![Future site of the United Methodist Church, Paoli Indiana.](pictures/008.jpg)
Construction began.
![Bulldozer moving earth for the Paoli United Methodist Church construction.](pictures/010a.jpg)
![Bulldozer moving earth for the Paoli United Methodist Church construction.](pictures/010b.jpg)
The walls went up.
![Construction of the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/012a.jpg)
![Construction of the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/012b.jpg)
![Construction of the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/012c.jpg)
The front columns of our church.
![Construction of the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/014a.jpg)
![Construction of the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/014b.jpg)
The Bishop joined us for the Service of Consecration.
![The Bishop visits the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/016a.jpg)
![The Bishop visits the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/016b.jpg)
District Superintendent Robert Baldridge and his wife, Robert and Margaret Allred, Bishop Ralph T. and Marion Alton, and Eldon and Helen Brown after the consecration service.
Here at Paoli United Methodist Church we strive to follow the teachings of Christ. We meet individual needs through worship, evangelism, Christian education, stewardship, fellowship, and missions for our community and world, all of this without discrimination.
We learn to serve the Kingdom of God through Christian education for adults, youth, and children.
![Adult Bible study and Sunday school at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/019a.jpg)
The Faith class.
![Adult Bible study and Sunday school at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/019b.jpg)
The Back Door class.
![Adult Bible study and Sunday school at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/019c.jpg)
The Becomers class.
![Adult Bible study and Sunday school at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/019d.jpg)
The Becomers class.
![Adult Bible study and Sunday school at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/019e.jpg)
The J.O.Y. class.
![Adult Bible study and Sunday school at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/020a.jpg)
![Adult Bible study and Sunday school at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/020b.jpg)
![Adult Bible study and Sunday school at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/020c.jpg)
![Adult Bible study and Sunday school at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/020d.jpg)
![Adult Bible study and Sunday school at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/020e.jpg)
![Adult Bible study and Sunday school at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/020f.jpg)
As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of our church, we are thankful for this facility in which to worship and learn. However, the church isn't just a building. The church is the people, uniting as one body—the body of Christ.
![Sunday morning congregation at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/022a.jpg)
![Sunday morning congregation at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/022b.jpg)
And always when there has been a need, our Paoli United Methodist Church has responded with love.
![Mission work at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/025a.jpg)
![Mission work at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/025b.jpg)
![Mission work at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/025c.jpg)
![Mission work at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/025d.jpg)
![Mission work at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/026a.jpg)
![Mission work at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/026b.jpg)
![Mission work at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/026c.jpg)
![Mission work at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/026d.jpg)
![Mission work at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/027a.jpg)
![Mission work at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/027b.jpg)
Through the years we've made many improvements and repairs to our church building. However, this large, beautiful, functional church will never be completely "finished". In the coming years we will continue to refine and improve the building, enabling us to bring God's word to more and more people.
Here are just a few of the pastors who had led us on our faith journey.
![Pastors at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/030.jpg)
John Russell and Richard Gillum, with District Superintendent Robert Baldridge, at the merger ceremony in December, 1968.
![Pastors at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/031.jpg)
Jerry LeBrun.
![Pastors at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/032a.jpg)
Ken Wells.
![Pastors at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/032b.jpg)
Ken Wells.
![Pastors at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/032c.jpg)
Ken Wells and Bishop Woodie White.
![Pastors at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/033a.jpg)
Gary Schaar.
![Pastors at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/033b.jpg)
Gary Schaar.
![Pastors at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/033c.jpg)
Howard Allen.
![Pastors at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/034.jpg)
Pam Cook.
![Pastors at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/035a.jpg)
Val Foughty-Killion.
![Pastors at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/035b.jpg)
Val Foughty-Killion.
![Pastors at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/036.jpg)
Rev. Dr. Gary Schaar, United Methodist District Superintendent, appointing the Rev. Dr. LaMont Bonath as pastor of Paoli United Methodist Church for a second year in August 2016.
Reflecting on these 45 years reminds us that we should remember that beginnings are important ... but not as important as destinations.
Let's keep dreaming big dreams for the future of our church, even while we remember and cherish our past.
![Congregation on Sunday morning at the Paoli United Methodist Church.](pictures/039.jpg)