The melodic music that San Dimans enjoy on Sunday mornings emanates from the bell tower and the sanctuary of the United Methodist Church.
                                                                                                                                                                                     
            The Methodists were the second denomination to establish in San Dimas, about 1889, led by Mrs. James Johnstone and Mrs. J. W. Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Way were among the charter members. Mrs. Way was one of 13 children of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Crane. They met originally in the schoolhouse, later with a Lordsburg (now La Verne) congregation. Property for the present church was bought in the late 1890's — possibly at a cost of $100.  A small hall on the lot served as a meetinghouse until a schoolhouse from La Verne Heights was moved with teams and wagons by J. W. Crane and sons, and Frank Cramer and sons, to the Second Street site. With bell tower removed, it was later remodeled to become the parsonage west of the present church. 

            In 1901 W. A. Brown, a minister, led a movement to build the Methodist Church on West Second Street in San Dimas. Described as a somewhat rustler, he put on his overalls and worked and painted on the church. The church was very solidly constructed with full-cut lumber and hand-hewn rafters. There are beautiful beams arching into the high ceiling of the Sanctuary. Originally it was arranged in "Akron" style — a semi-circle of seats around the west-side altar. It was dedicated in August 1901. The first full pastor's salary was $250 a month and the parsonage for his home. Wages at this time were 90 cents to $1.00 per day with skilled laborers receiving $2.00 to $2.50. The Memorial stained glass windows cost $25.00 each. The Ladies Aid suffered many pricked fingers as they produced quilts to -raise the $400 to purchase the church bell. 

            All the trees planted were varieties mentioned in the Bible — such as sycamore, breadfruit, fig, palm and others. Nothing provided more entertainment than the iron hitching racks (still in place) where the youngsters "skinned the cat" while parents visited before climbing into their buggies. They are still there today.

            On June 6,1926, a cornerstone was laid for an addition to provide Sunday school rooms for the 248 members. A large dining room was also added where meals were served to packing house workers for 40 cents — a fund-raising project of the Ladies Aid.

             In 1958, the Sanctuary was completely remodeled by moving the altar to the south with organ and choir area and rearrangement of seating. M. V. Helwick, a leading layman, gave a gift of a fine set of chimes. The altar area was raised and the organ moved to the west wall in 1985.

             The Methodist Church is a picturesque and charming shingle-covered edifice — an architectural asset in the Historic District. Celebrating its Centenary, it remembers the many members and ministers who have contributed. There are delightful photos of the Sunday school children in the dining room, some of whom are now seniors in San Dimas. The church served the community by providing space each noon for senior meals until the senior center was built.

            

            On February 21, 1999 the church suffered a devastating fire. The sanctuary was severely damaged. The bell tower was damaged and the bell fell to the ground and broke into several pieces. In total the fire caused $400,000.00 in damages. The church was rebuilt and rededicated later in the year.

            The bell was reconstructed and placed in the front of the church. It is a symbol to all that no matter what happens in your life it can be put back together as long as you have faith.


                                

SAN DIMAS UMC List of Pastors

1.     1892 C. W. Tarr;

2.     93 No Record;

3.     1901 W. A. Brown;

4.     04 C. B. Husted;

5.     05 (S. A. Smith);

6.     06 L.G. Spring;

7.     07 W. M. Harkness;

8.     09 C. A. Bunker;

9.     10 M. S. McKee;

10.            13 W. F. Lusk;

11.            14 H. S. Munger;

12.            15 A. C. Welch;

13.            17 S. J. Lindsay;

14.            20 E. Vaughan;

15.            22 Martindale Woods;

16.            23 D. W. Nichols;

17.            25 E. Scdweek;

18.            29 E. D. Raley;

19.            33 Alfred C. Abbe;

20.            38 A. F. Hasse;

21.            41 Guy M. McBride;

22.            45 (Aug) W. C. Manning;

23.            47 Ben W. Davis;

24.            50 Wm. Henry Stockton;

25.            54 C. H. Archibald;

26.            56 William A. Welch;

27.            62 Albert E. Jansen;

28.            67 Donald E. Meier;

29.            69 William L. Thomas;

30.            73 J. Edward Burn;

79 (Sep) Merged with Glendora Edgewood Azusa: Edgewood

31.            1958 Joe R. Nichols;

32.            63 (Carroll N. Parker);

33.            65 (David West) John Swift;

34.            69 Myron Stump;

35.            71 Gary VanBoening;

36.            75 Glendora: Edgewood

79 (Sep) Merged with San Dimas San Dimas

37.            1979 (Sep) J. Edward Burn;

38.            82 Donald C. Thompson;

39.            85 Craig K. Miller;

40.            90 Benjamin Ellis- Ferris;

41.            93 Estaban C. Calma;

42.            95 Robert O'Kane;

43.            96 Lee E. Seals, Jr.;

44.            99 Paul Yoon Moon Kim,
45.08 Myung Hee paek