Central United Methodist Church / Central United Methodist Church

The first Protestant society in Muskegon began as a mission station served by itinerant preachers. In 1843 the Reverend M. Warring held Muskegon’s first service in Martin Ryerson’s boardinghouse. Deacon Abner Bennett, a black lay preacher, and his wife, Mary, a former servant of President James K. Polk, formed the White Lake Sunday School. Bennett frequently preached in Muskegon. The church was formally organized on November 20, 1856. In 1859 Muskegon Methodists built their first church at Clay and Jefferson Streets. Congregationalists met in the church, which also served as the county court. In 1887 a larger church was built on the same site. The present Neo-Gothic-style church, built in 1928-30, was designed by denominational architect, Thoralf M. Sundt of Philadelphia. This Indiana limestone church seats one thousand persons. The tower rises one hundred feet.