This year marks the 175th anniversary of mission and ministry through Oxford United Methodist Church, located in the quaint borough of Oxford, Pennsylvania. To highlight the milestone, the congregation has been drawing on the varied gifts of its members, engaging all the senses through year-round celebrations centered on food, history, and art.
Opportunities for fellowship over food have drawn on the deep well of United Methodist tradition, welcoming not only church members but also the community to the celebration. Women from the church’s United Methodist cluster and all Oxford churches were invited to a Ladies’ Tea and the church held an ice cream social on the 175th day of its 175th year.
History, art, and worship have been interwoven in the anniversary celebrations – quite literally! The church held a “Patchwork in the Pews” quilt show where all of the pews in the sanctuary were covered with beautiful quilts made by its members. An historic 1884 signature quilt from the church was displayed alongside a brand new 2026 anniversary signature quilt, newly revealed that day. The anniversary quilt was made by the women of the church to commemorate the occasion. Each block was signed by church members.
Oxford UMC also held two open house tours which coincided with church breakfasts. The first tour covered the history of the church’s beautiful stained-glass windows. A church member even created a watercolor painting of one of the windows to be turned into a bulletin cover for weekly worship. The second open house tour focused on the broader history of the church. A book of the church’s history was printed and an exhibit table featuring church artifacts and historical articles has been displayed and changed periodically throughout the year.
The church showed off their pipe organ with a special anniversary concert paired with an exhibit of the pipe organ’s history. And the church’s former organist composed a special anniversary hymn which has been sung during Sunday worship regularly throughout the year. “Anniversary Minutes” have been peppered in the church services too.
At a special fall worship service, the Sunday School children rang the church’s bell, told the congregation about the bell’s history, and sang. District Superintendent Steve Pittman guest preached at the service, which was followed by a luncheon.
Still to come is the church’s homecoming service, where former members and pastors alike will return to celebrate the church’s anniversary. As Oxford UMC looks ahead, the congregation will be planting 175 daffodil bulbs – signs of hope, faith, and promise that will remind them of this special year in the life of the church for years to come.