Our Beliefs
Armagh UM Church is part of The United Methodist Church, which affirms that the foundation of our beliefs are based in Holy Scripture. We believe in one God, who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in the death and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who washes away our sins by his spilled blood and sacrifice, giving those who believe in him eternal life. We believe that those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are made new in Christ and are filled by the Holy Spirit, seeking to be holy in character and conduct. We believe in the Holy Bible as God’s Word, which establishes God’s Grace to us and gives commandments on living that faithful and holy life. We believe that the purpose of The Church is to worship God in spirit and truth, to Love God and to Love one another as God loves us.
Our Core Values are stated simply by remembering the 3B's of Believe, Befriend & Be as in:
“BELIEVE IN GOD. BEFRIEND THE PEOPLE. BE FOR EACH OTHER.”
We believe in God. We befriend believers and the non-believers as all are God’s children. We edify and support each other as God has shown us Love first and convicts us to follow his example.
Armagh UM Church is part of The United Methodist Church, which is a global church of over 12.6 million members in over 125 countries. The Mission of the Church is established in The Holy Bible and specifically stated in Matthew 28:19 & 20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commandments I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Armagh UM Church is UNITED in our Lord and Savior for the joy of life and living the community. We believe that we are a strong voice to SERVE our local area with our mission work and outreach programs. We edify and support believers within the church with WORSHIP services to glorify God, Sunday School classes that explore of the heart of God and His Word and with seasonal mid-week study groups that GROW our faith as Christians. Please visit our WORSHIP, MINISTRIES and MISSION pages to explore opportunities for you to serve God and expand your faith within our church community.Armagh is the oldest community in Indiana County as it was first permanently settled in 1792. Eight families led by James and Margaret Graham immigrated from Northern Ireland and started roots in this area, which was originally called Plainfield. In 1798, the new land owners renamed this community Armagh after their home town and county back in Ireland.
Armagh United Methodist Church has roots that go back to 1867 when the first Board of Trustees was formed to plan the building of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The original church was built in Armagh Borough by Findlay Bracken at a total cost of $2,153 and was dedicated for service on April 26, 1868. Reverend Baker was the first minister. The building was renovated several times with plaster, carpeting and new pews and served as a worship and gathering place for over 90 years. Then in 1959, the congregation voted to build a new church as the attendance was growing beyond the building's capacity.
Initially, the building fund held only $896.98, but by March 1960, member donations had increased the fund to $2,429. The congregation voted to build the new church at it's present location on land donated by Samuel H. and Ruth M. Hutchison in East Wheatfield Township, along Philadelphia Street just west of the Armagh borough line. Henry Wagner of Builders Construction in Ebensburg, PA was contracted to build the new church at a cost of $50,000. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 13, 1961. The first worship service in the new Armagh Methodist Episcopal Church was held on Mother's Day, May 13, 1962, with the official service of Consecration following on June 3, 1962. The total costs including the furnishings were $80,000.
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The Raymond Elliot Estate gave a generous gift to the church which brought the debt down to $13,000. Two additional properties behind the church were purchased from Hutchison Family Heirs in 1968 and 1969. A mortgage burning service was held on June 22, 1969.
The national church was also changing. In 1968, The Methodist Episcopal Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged to form The United Methodist Church. Therefore, the local church was renamed Armagh United Methodist Church, or Armagh UMC.
Armagh UMC shared a Pastor with another church until 1976 when it was declared a station church able to support it's own minister. A two story parsonage was built across from the church. Elliot Hall was constructed in 1991 to add a large meeting area, an education wing and more office space.
Our church has a long history within the Armagh community. We serve as an anchor in this small town on the southern edge of Indiana County. Our worship service is a comfort that gives spiritual food to many. Our modern facility is a meeting place for Scouting groups, Senior Citizens and WIC. We host Spaghetti Dinners, mission programs and other outreach events for the community. Our loving and caring congregation has grown over time to serve together in Our Lord's Family. Please explore this web site to learn more about us. We'd love to learn more about you.
The Rev. Scott Hamley, Pastor
Barb Stewart - Choir Director
Mary Ann Walters - Pianist
Gloria Blankenship - Office Manager
Church members often bring the needs of other members, friends and family to God. To ensure privacy in this age of social media, Armagh UMC will not publish Prayer Lists on our web site. We have a chain of volunteers who will call, text, or email around the Prayer List until all members are aware of that special need and seek God to intervene, heal and sustain the individual and their family.
"What is a prayer shawl? It is a shawl that has been made with love and prayers for the one to receive it. The shawl is then consecrated to the Lord and that declares it sacred! It is to bring comfort to the one wearing it. It is a gift of feeling wrapped in the arms of God and comforted by the Holy Spirit. Over the centuries, shawls have come to symbolize shelter, peace, and spiritual sustenance.”
