In 1829, as the city of Tiffin was just getting its start, Reverend James Montgomery organized the congregation which was ultimately to become the current Washington Street United Methodist Church.  He was assisted by John Souder, and the group first met in his home with eleven charter members.

 

By 1837, the members of this small community of Methodists had grown substantial enough to dedicate their own building, a small brick structure which still stands on Monroe Street near City Hall.  The church, at that time, was known as the First Methodist Protestant Church.

 

The congregation continued to grow along with the community of Tiffin, and in 1871 they moved into a new brick building on Market Street.  Ten different pastors served the congregation at that location as they continued to experience significant growth.

 

As this growth continued, need for a new church building was felt, and in 1923, the cornerstone was laid for the current structure at 230 South Washington Street.  Dedication services for the new building covered an entire week, culminating on May 18, 1924 with Dr. J.C. Williams, President of the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, giving the keynote address.

 

With the merger of the Methodist Protestant denomination with the Methodist Episcopals in 1939, there was a scramble for a new name; after countless suggestions and discussions, the congregation ultimately decided on "Washington Street Methodist Church."

 

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, a number of re-modeling projects were undertaken, with the bulk of the work all contributed by members of the worshiping community.

 

Then, in 1968, with the merger of the Methodists and hte Evangelical United Brethren, the final name change occurred, this time with a simple change to "Washington Street United Methodist Church."

 

Since that time, the congregation of Washington Street UMC has continued to face and and be impacted by a number of challenges.  Changes to the city of Tiffin, various pastorates, and changes in membership have left their imprint on the building and on the face of the congregation.  However, through it all, over these last 180 years, this community of faith has experienced and been transformed by the grace and love of God, all while striving to be God's love in and for the Tiffin community.