About Us
OUR CONNECTION
Grace United Methodist Church is a proud member of the Connecticut District Midstate Cooperative Parish, part of the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church.​
OUR VISION
Our vision is to model Jesus in our community through our welcoming, loving, and caring spirit.
OUR WORSHIP
Experience the warmth of community and the joy of worship every Sunday at 10:00 AM.
Meet Our Pastor
Rev. Carol Bloom
Rev. Carol Bloom has been a beloved part of Grace United Methodist Church for years, bringing her wisdom, compassion, and deep faith to our congregation and community.
We are grateful to have Rev. Carol Bloom as our Grace United Methodist Church pastor.
Originally from Ohio and raised in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Carol has been answering God's call since childhood. She has served in many church roles, from Sunday School teacher to choir member, and has always been deeply involved in the United Methodist Church.
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Before entering ministry, Carol enjoyed a successful healthcare finance and IT career, holding leadership positions in hospitals, long-term care, and a consulting firm she founded. In 2009, she felt called to full-time ministry, becoming a candidate for ordination. After earning her Master of Divinity from Drew Theological School, she served churches in Long Island and New Jersey before joining Grace UMC in August 2020.
Pastor Carol’s passion for ministry is evident in her leadership of Bible studies, worship services, and her heartfelt invitation to all seeking a church home. She loves walking alongside people in their faith journeys, and we are blessed to have her leading our church family.
Our History
The History of Grace United Methodist Church dates back to 1833 when a Methodist class was organized in Southington as a missionary enterprise of the Trinity M.E. Church of New Britain. Between 1833 and 1857, Methodist clergymen from nearby towns preached as they found opportunity, using schoolhouses, halls, and churches. In 1858, the Rev. D.G. Brown from Bristol, CT was invited to preach. The message he offered was met with enthusiasm and a church was organized. Services were held initially at the Unitarian Church, Gridley’s Hall, or occasionally at a hall in downtown Southington. When the later hall burned down, the site was purchased, and in 1867 a church building was completed (now the site of TD Bank) utilizing timber, it was said, solicited from saints and sinners alike.
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A growing congregation (1932 enrollment was listed at 129) necessitated Sunday School be held at the nearby YMCA. The Sunday School Picnic that would become an annual event required students and adults to be bussed to locations such as Lake Compounce or White Oak Park. In the years leading up to 1958, Grace utilized a few full-time pastors but mostly students pursuing their education at Yale Divinity School.
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Pastors Stephen Crites (1956-1958), Harold E. Miller Jr. (1958-1963), and Robert S. Hamilton (1963-1969) were instrumental in membership growth and a decision was made to build a new church. Land located at 121 Pleasant Street was purchased and in 1964 the church building Grace now occupies was dedicated. Today that forward-thinking church facility with its’ modern red metal roof stands as a testament to a host of committed parishioners and pastors but mostly to God’s great graciousness.