WHO WE ARE
Our church family has been in Ministry
in North Scottsdale since 1978. We are blessed to
have had the opportunity to reflect the vitality and
evolution of the north Scottsdale area. However, we
continue to evaluate our ministry in an attempt to
find more effective ways to share the eternal truth
about our gracious God, whom we know through the life
of Jesus. We are aware that we live in an ever-changing
world, and it is an exciting journey to see where
the Holy Spirit is leading us. If you are looking
for a church family, we invite you to join us in this
journey!
North Scottsdale UMC offers many opportunities
to learn, grow and give as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Some of these opportunities are highlighted on this
web site. If you have any questions or are in need
of ministry, please don’t hesitate to call (480) 948-0529
or stop by the church at your convenience (normal weekday office hours are 9:00 am - 3:00 pm).
HISTORY
Approximately 25 families who had previously
attended Scottsdale UMC and Paradise Valley UMC, but
who felt that another church in the neighborhood in
which they lived was needed, started North Scottsdale
United Methodist Church. The organizing pastor was
Rev. Clifford G. Asay. The first worship service was
held at 9:00 a.m. on October 16, 1977 in the staff
lunchroom of Chaparral High School with 99 people
in attendance. All of the Sunday morning services
and meetings ended with the congregation joining hands
and singing “Blest Be the Tie that Binds,”
a tradition that NSUMC continues to honor. NSUMC was
officially organized on January 29, 1978. The church’s
Charter holds 64 adult signatures and 16 “Preparatory
Members” signatures.
The congregation has always attempted
to be warm and friendly – a true family for
each other and for any new brother or sister who came
to worship with them. In the early years, meetings
and fellowship activities were held in each other’s
homes. Potluck dinners, camping trips, and family
craft nights all helped to bring the congregation
closer. Though few in number, the founders did everything
the big churches did; each did their part. There was
an active Sunday School, children’s choir and
acolyte program. The women made robes for the children
out of blue and yellow sheets, and made all of the
banners and altar cloths. It was work of love, and
it showed.
Eventually the Annual Conference helped
the congregation to purchase the land at Scottsdale
Road and Jenan, where the campus is now. Rev. Asay
conducted groundbreaking for the first building in
the fall of 1982; the building was consecrated on
October 16, 1983 by the new pastor, Rev. Harvey Kemp.
Groundbreaking for the Education Wing was on February
9, 1986; the congregation’s new pastor conducted
Dedication, Dr. Ralph Gay, on September 28, 1986.
A new Sanctuary was planned and groundbreaking was
held for this addition on July 29, 1990; dedication
was held in December, 1990, by Dr. Gay. Rev. Jim O’Neal
conducted consecration Service for the new Office
Wing, Youth Wing and East Wing classrooms on March
26, 1995.
CONTINUED GROWTH
Our congregation continues to grow. Under the pastoral leadership of David McPherson, ground was broken December 12, 2004 on a new 17,000 square foot sanctuary, which was completed in January 2006. The new sanctuary building includes facilities to accommodate a 60-member choir, a nursery for infants and toddlers, a bride's room for weddings, office space and storage. The sanctuary is stadium-style in design to better facilitate viewing for 600 people. The old sanctuary has been converted into a multi-purpose Fellowship Hall, complementing the existing Christian Education/classroom wings, library and administrative offices.
The faces have changed over the years, but “the tie that binds” has been the love of everyone in the congregation who has helped North Scottsdale United Methodist Church to grow.
Sanctuary Prayer
Wall
- Dedicated April 2007-
