The First United Methodist Church dates back to 1852. Through its 132-year history, the First U.M. Church of Irwin has resided in three different buildings. The first church building was located at the corner of Main and Third Streets. A one-room frame building, it was built in 1861 at a cost of $1,250 and supported by the l2 founding members.

As the Irwin community grew and prospered, so did the congregation, until the church's capacity became inadequate both for worship and Sunday School. In 1926 property was acquired at the corner of Oak and Third Streets. Two years later ground was broken for the new building, a vastly larger facility. Actual construction of the third and present day church, a stone structure of English Gothic style, began on February 6, 1928, under the guidance of pastor Joseph D. Piper. Cost was set at $275,000, which did not include a sanctuary. The new building was a parish hall, a sanctuary, and rooms for Sunday School classes.

When the depression struck in 1929, a distressing time began for the Methodist congregation. They now had a sizeable mortgage on their new building and the economy had started to fall apart. Nevertheless, the members held together, making many personal sacrifices to meet the costs of their church, and the church survived.

During the years that followed, the congregation held Sunday worship services in the social hall, since the sanctuary had not been completed. However, in March 1957, the congregation decided to complete the sanctuary which would accommodate 750 people. This goal was realized under the able direction of Dr. James A. Gaiser, the pastor.

When consecrated on October 5, 1958, the new sanctuary came alive as colorful rays of light shone through its magnificent stained glass windows. So enthusiastic was the congregation about its new place of worship that they gave glory to God with a full week of evening prayer services.