HISTORY
Approximately 25 families who had previously attended Scottsdale U.M.C. and Paradise Valley U.M.C., 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 N.S.U.M.C. continues to honor. N.S.U.M.C. 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 and Jenan Roads, 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, Dr. Ralph Gay conducted the Dedication 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.
Approximately 25 families who had previously attended Scottsdale U.M.C. and Paradise Valley U.M.C., 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 N.S.U.M.C. continues to honor. N.S.U.M.C. 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 and Jenan Roads, 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, Dr. Ralph Gay conducted the Dedication 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.
