Who We Are
Kennewick First United Methodist Church is part of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church within the Seven Rivers District.
The United Methodist Church is a worldwide connection of more than 12 million members in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States + Canada!
We are the person next door, the church on the other side of the country, and the worshiping community across the globe. Together, we share a legacy of living as disciples of Jesus Christ, sharing God’s love both in what we say and how we serve our neighbors.
Our Heritage
The United Methodist Church is a member of the World Methodist Council, uniting Methodist denominations around the world.
John Wesley and the early Methodists emphasized “practical divinity,” a faith expressed through daily Christian living, compassion, and service. This commitment continues to shape United Methodism today.
To learn more about the United Methodist Church, please visit the national website at umc.org
Our Core Beliefs
The United Methodist Church shares a great deal with other Christian denominations. We believe God’s grace is open to all, and therefore practice “open Communion”–meaning that anyone may participate in receiving Communion. We believe salvation is an open gift from God, accepted by individuals according to their own free will. The United Methodist denomination is a “big tent” theologically, providing space for theological discourse and, at times, disagreement.
Like many other Christian groups, we affirm the beliefs expressed in the Apostles Creed. These include:
We believe in one God.
God’s nature is deeper and more mysterious than any words can fully capture, so every affirmation about God begins with faith. We believe God is the eternal source of all life and love, the One who created and sustains the universe, yet is also personal and present, knowing and caring for each of us intimately.
We believe in the Trinity.
We trust in one God who is revealed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is a holy mystery, but we affirm that God is both unity and relationship, love shared and love given. Through the Trinity, we understand God as our Creator, our Redeemer, and our ever-present Helper who guides and empowers us.
We believe in Jesus Christ.
We believe Jesus is the Son of God, fully human and fully divine. In Jesus, God walked among us, revealing divine love in a way we could see, hear, and understand. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus shows us the depth of God’s grace and invites us into a restored relationship with God and with one another.
The MISSION of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Local churches and extension ministries of the Church provide the most significant arenas through which disciple-making occurs.
Faith In Action
We believe faith is not only expressed in worship but also in action. Our church is committed to being a voice of hope and strength in the community, offering encouragement, education, and support for those in need. Guided by the Gospel, we see our calling as both spiritual and practical — proclaiming Christ while meeting people where they are.
This commitment leads us to stand for justice, extend compassion, and seek the well-being of our neighbors. Whether through service, outreach, or fellowship, we strive to live out a faith that uplifts and empowers. In all we do, our goal is to reflect the heart of Christ, where faith and action walk hand in hand.
Our History
Kennewick First United Methodist Church is in downtown Kennewick located at 2 S. Dayton Street in Kennewick, Washington. The iconic building is 125 years old and is a cornerstone of the local community. It dominates the skyline and is a landmark in this region of Kennewick boasting beautiful stained-glass windows.
Our local church was established in 1902 (123 years old) as the Kennewick First Methodist Episcopal Church, under the leadership of Rev. Ezekiel Rubicam, a pastor from Kiona, who added Kennewick to his circuit. The original church had five members. For three years the congregation met in various places until a banker, W.R. Amon, led a drive for funds to build a church. A white frame church building, costing $3,750, was soon erected and a mortgage for $1,214 to build the parsonage next door.
By 1920 the original church was too small to accommodate the growing congregation, so in 1923 the new brick Methodist Episcopal church was completed with a bell tower, stained glass windows, and enough oak pews to seat a large portion of the community. It is the same grand old building you see today. Over the years, the church has hosted many community-wide events including high school graduations, political rallies, concerts, community classes, and most recently a COVID vaccination site. The church building has undergone major renovations and additions of a fellowship hall, an educational wing [1950’s] meeting room, south entry [early 2000’s] and is currently renovating its Dayton Street Plaza.
In 2027, Kennewick First UMC will celebrate 125 years of ministry in our beloved Kennewick community.
The church serves people who live throughout the Tri-cities area. It is within walking distance of the original high school and is part of the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership. The church is committed to providing care to its members while being involved in “Missional Ministries” withing the greater Kennewick area.