Our History
Bronson United Methodist Church has been a part of the Bronson community for 150 years.
Founding
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Bronson United Methodist Church was organized in 1867 with five members: Dr. James M. Jackson (of Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL), Colonel W. R. Coulter, W. A. Shands (of Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL), Moses Dean, and John Penny. Colonel Coulter's daughter, Jane, and her husband, John Ira Epperson, soon joined the fellowship with their family. The first pastor was Elias J. Knight.
The Sanctuary and Church Campus
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The current sanctuary was built in 1886 and moved to its present location in 1920. ​The Educational Building was completed in 1971 and has served as classrooms for Sunday School, a meeting venue for community organizations, and kitchen and dining area for church dinners. An additional building housing our nursery and primary classes was built in memory of former pastor, Rev. W. Tim Baughn, who passed away in 1978.
For many years, the Anzonetta Epperson Circle has actively provided for many renovations & improvements, adornments, and materials in the church in memory of loved ones. Also with these resources, the Nomads mission volunteers have helped to bring these essential improvements into being.
Traditions
Bronson United Methodist Church has many traditions that have resonated with members for generations. Year after year, these events and sights have become identified with our church. Some of them are as follows:
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Open Communion (open to all who believe and have accepted Jesus as Lord)
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Fifth Sunday Covered Dish Dinners
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Valentine Sweetheart Banquet
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Imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday (marks the beginning of Lent)
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Easter Lilies (in honor or memory of loved ones)
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Easter Sunrise Service
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Homecoming (second Sunday in October every other year since 1947)
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Lighting of the Advent Candle (marks the Advent Season)
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Christmas Bazaar (hosted by the Anzonetta Epperson Circle as a Fund Raiser for church projects)
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Poinsettia Tree (in honor or memory of loved ones)
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Life-size Nativity (Christmas Season)
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Christmas Eve Service (with communion)
Missionaries
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Bronson United Methodist Church began supporting Elizabeth Howell, missionary to Japan, in 1975. Miss Howell ministered and taught at Fukuoka Jogakuin Girls School until her retirement in 1996. Through the years, we have sponsored many members on short-term mission trips including Elizabeth Phillips as part of the Young Messiah Concert Tour in 1996 in Jerusalem, Israel and as part of a YWAM Discipleship Training School in 1998 in Northern Ireland and Uganda; Pastor Carroll & Betty Phillips, Marcia Baughn, Cathy Moody who traveled to Guatemala in 2002; Marcia Baughn who ministered in Uganda in 2003, Daniel Baughn who traveled to Namibia; Ed & Peggy Rowe and Marcia Baughn who joined relief efforts in Haiti in 2013; and Elizabeth Phillips for mission documentary work in the Philippines in 2015.
We still provide ongoing support to I Am Born Again Ministries in the Philippines, Dugit Ministries in Israel, and SonRise Ministries International.
Local Outreach
​Through the years, Bronson United Methodist Church has been involved in local outreach to the community through "Angel Tree" gift giving and speaking at Levy Forestry Camp as part of the prison ministry, hospitality for Alcohol and Drug Awareness and Anger Management courses, distribution of Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets, the Share Program food distribution, Clothes Closet, and Pastor's discretionary fund. In 2011, we also joined in a Celebrate Jesus mission effort of outreach and evangelism in the local community.
We continue with the Food Pantry, Thrift Shop, "Cooking for Christ" community breakfast, Food 4 Kids, and Pastor's discretionary fund.
Visual & Performing Arts
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Our choir has also brought much beautiful music each week during worship services and through cantatas on select years during Easter and/or Christmas seasons.
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