The beginnings of Washington Grove United Methodist Church reach back to 1872 when a committee of Methodists from the Washington area recommended the purchase of 200 acres of land near Gaithersburg for summer camp meetings, church picnics, excursions, and evangelism.

The first camp meeting was held in 1872 with some 250 tents pitched for the occasion. As people discovered the pleasures of living in the 'Grove' during the summer camp meeting season, they extended their stays to last the entire summer, and soon, year-round. With the advent of a more permanent population, the camp meeting format gave way to a regular continuing church operation in 1910.

There has always been a strong but informal link between the church and the town.  For many years the church met in the town's assembly building, McCathran Hall.  In 1954, the cornerstone for the present church building was laid.  The completion of the present church facilities took place ten years later when the new parsonage was built.

Currently, the church serves many people not only from the 'Grove' but all of the surrounding communities as well.  We have members who live in Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village, Germantown, Derwood, Rockville, Mount Airy, Frederick, Monrovia and Laytonsville.  We welcome all who are interested in learning about God and his son in Jesus Christ.