By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established - Proverbs 24:3
THE HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH
Our church has ministered to the community for well over 200 years, from the early 1800s when Methodist services were conducted in private homes and barns. The first church in Milton was built in 1824 as a Union Church on the site of our historic sanctuary, which today operates as our Thrift Shop. In 1874 this building was torn down and a new one constructed by the Methodists and Presbyterians. However, the Baptists continued to claim ownership.
In 1882, the Methodists finally built their own building on Milton Road, just past the intersection with Schoolhouse Road. The church was destroyed by fire in 1890 and was rebuilt using insurance money and many donations. The Baptists continued to worship in the present historic sanctuary until 1907. In 1920, the Methodist congregation regained title to the present historic sanctuary and sold their other building.
Ground was broken for our new building in 2003. The education wing and Headley Hall were completed in 2007, at which time we moved worship services out of the historic sanctuary to Headley Hall. The Sanctuary was completed and consecrated in 2008.
Throughout the history of our congregation, God’s grace and direction kept the loyal followers together whether they had a building to worship in or not. The Methodists ultimately grew in service to God and the community.
Today, we are a devoted Christian family connected by our faith and connected to Jefferson. As a vibrant member of the Jefferson community, Milton United Methodist Church hosts scout troops, AA, a quilting group, high school programs, special education students, and much more. We are an active participant in JT CONNECT and Christmas in the Village. We also manage both the New Hope Thrift Shop and New Hope Food Pantry, both of which are centered around community-based service. In fact, our commitment to the community has come full circle as the New Hope Thrift Shop now operates out of the site of the original church from 1824.
OUR PASTOR, ELLEN BECHTOLD
Pastor Ellen was born and raised in New Jersey. She worked as a registered nurse when she heard the call to enter the ordained ministry. She attended Drew Theological School in Madison and earned her Master of Divinity. After three years working as an associate pastor in Dover First United Methodist Church, she was then was appointed to Milton United Methodist. She became pastor as we began to move into the project of building our new church.
Ellen considers it a blessing to serve God within our church community, and has found pleasure in working together on mission and ministry projects during her tenure. She is also very involved in local, regional and global organizations. Most important are the people who have endeavored to serve God as individuals and as a faith community. We as God’s people have had many blessings and some bumps in the road. Pastor Ellen counts these as a journey of learning and joy, all for God’s glory.
Ellen is married to Reverend Steve, who is the pastor of Sparta United Methodist Church. Their daughter (Sarah), son (Seth) and daughter-in-law (Anna), along with her grandchildren (Jason, Ethan, Amelia and Colin) continue to reside in the Garden State! Ellen’s favorite hobby is walking, and she finds solace in music and wooded places.
OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR, CHAD FLYNN
Chad Flynn has been an active and passionate public school music educator for the past 17 years. He's currently the Director of Choirs and a teacher of piano and music production classes at Jefferson Township High School. Mr. Flynn has also been an active organist and church choir director in various churches in northern NJ the past 12 years.
He loves his family and lives in Sparta with his wife and two kids. Besides music he is passionate about hiking, camping, and woodworking, but mostly about making memories with his family. He feels blessed to be making music with the wonderful people of Milton United Methodist Church.
OUR VISION
At Milton United Methodist Church, our vision is to create a nurturing environment where individuals can deepen their relationship with God, find purpose in their lives, and make a positive impact in the world. We strive to be a beacon of hope, compassion, and transformation, inspiring our members to live out their faith in meaningful ways.
WHAT WE DO
Our church is dedicated to living our faith through meaningful experiences for our members and the community with the love and guidance of God. We offer a range of programs and events that cater to all age groups, including Sunday worship services, Bible studies, prayer groups, outreach initiatives, and educational opportunities. Through these activities, we aim to foster spiritual growth, deepen our faith, encourage fellowship, and address the needs of our neighbors, all while glorifying God.
OUR COMMUNITY
At Milton United Methodist Church, we believe in the power of community and the strength that comes from supporting one another. Our church provides a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals can connect, build friendships, and find a sense of belonging. We are committed to creating a warm and caring community where everyone is
valued and embraced.
LOOKING BACK ON OUR 200th ANNIVERSARY...
2024 marked the 200th anniversary of the Milton United Methodist Church. This year, we celebrated our faith and our friendship in many ways, from our picnic, concert, and auction to our yearly traditions of our annual Greening, Soup Sundays, and Christmas dinners. A special thank you to everyone who made all of the events and moments a success! We cannot wait to see what the next 100 years have in store for us!
