Mission

To be a loving fellowship of worshipping believers, introducing persons to Christ, maturing them in Him, and involving them in ministry to one another and the world.

History

1993 marked the 150th anniversary of the Grace United Methodist Church in Hartford City, Indiana. It is not known when or by whom the first Methodist sermon was preached in Blackford County but it is known that in 1831, the Missionary Mission was formed and a preaching place was established at or near the site of Hartford City. It was thought that the first place of worship in Hartford City was in a building situated on the east side of Monroe Street, between Washington and Water Streets. After a few years the name was changed to the Marion Mission and the Hartford City class was one of the preaching places.

In 1843, Hartford City was made head of the circuit and from that point forward we can trace the history of the Methodist Church in Hartford City. At that time the conference was held late in the summer, or early fall. For 12 years no minister served a longer term than one year. The ministers who served for the first 10 years, in the order of their service, were as follows: Robert Burns, E.W. Sweet, Freeman Farnsworth, Cornelius Swant, J.T. Robe, Wade Posey, George W. Bowers, John H. Bruce, Daniel F. Straight and John H. Hull.

In 1843 the Methodists erected their first church in Hartford City. This structure was used as a place of worship for about five years but the congregation had grown so that the log structure could no longer meet the needs of the people. It was decided to build a larger and more convenient church.