PARCHMENT, Mich. (WOOD) — The Parchment United Methodist Church opened its doors to the community Sunday as it marked 100 years.
Church leaders said the group, originally known as the United Methodist Church of Parchment, was first organized in 1924. The first location for services was in the “Community House,” built by the owner of the Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Company. A new church was later built in 1965 with the first service held the following year.
To mark the milestone, church members hosted a traditional ham dinner, similar to the ones made when the organization first started.
Leaders say the event also brought back members who have long life ties to the church, like an organ player who retired in her 90s last year.
“The experience today of seeing the sanctuary filled with people and meeting some of the people whose history is part of the Parchment United Methodist Church and meeting some new people was excited. And hope that could be some momentum going forward and God uses that to create new beginnings,” said pastor Joe Shaler.