Poland Methodists have always been concerned about people, always responding to needs of others in the community, the country and around the world. As a congregation we are sensitive to community needs and, wherever possible, we reach out in prayer and in deed to meet those needs. An active Sunday School ministers to the Christian education of our church family. Youth programs and activities provide opportunities to participate in wholesome social, educational and religious activities. In addition to sustaining the Benevolence Program, our congregation has long supported the United Methodist Community Center, the Rescue Mission and the Protestant Family Services in Youngstown with gifts of money, material goods and service. Since the early 60’s our church has served as the site for the Red Cross blood mobile unit, providing the facilities and many workers for promoting the community wide blood drive.
Thanks to our spacious building we often serve as a meeting spot for a wide variety of organizations. District wide church meetings of various types are often held at our church. Our facilities also host the meetings of community Senior Citizens groups and the local AARP. Campfire Girls, Girl Scout, Boy Scouts, Brownies and Cubs have long used the church for their meetings and activities. In serving the community we provide space for the Poland Interfaith Food Pantry, and meeting places for weight watching groups, Al-A-Non, OA, aerobic classes, home extension groups, Habitat for Humanity and the Board of Elections. Poland Methodists are active members who seek to serve, not only our community but also are world as good ambassadors of Jesus Christ.
Throughout the years, Poland United Methodists have been supportive of various mission projects, both here at home and throughout the world. While the projects have changed over the years, we have always supported at least one missionary every year. For many years, our mission support mainly took the form of giving financially, for the last several years we have emphasized the giving of ourselves in addition to our resources. Several very successful mission work trips have been taken by the men, women and youth of our congregation. That coupled with increased work at the Rescue Mission, the Christmas projects that help 125+ through the United Methodist Community Center and the monthly preparing and serving meals for the Salvation Army, keep us active and personally involved in reaching out to others in the love of Jesus Christ. |
The first church was a one story building without a basement erected where the Bank One now stands. In 1867 the building was remodeled by raising the church and placing a story underneath. On July 19, 1904 the cornerstone was laid for a brick church at the same location. This cornerstone now rests at the southwest corner of our present building. On April 1, 1957 tragedy struck. Fire destroyed the sanctuary. Plans were made to relocate and build at 1940 Boardman-Poland Road on land donated by members. In 1962 the completed church was consecrated and dedication services for the debt free building were held on May 20, 1973. The present building is of Colonial design, topped by a cross bearing steeple 134 feet above ground level. The bell, which calls us to worship each Sunday, first hung in the belfry of the old wooden church. The bell alone weighs 800 pounds and the bearings, trunnions, wheel and yoke another 400 pounds. The stained glass window in the chapel, symbolic of the communion elements, was in the choir of the brick church. The chapel was named Grace Chapel in memory of Grace Marston, deceased wife of Reverend M. Dean Marston, minister at the time of the building of the new church. 
