The Creighton Story
The History of Creighton United Methodist Church
The story of Creighton United Methodist Church is a proud history of a vibrant faith, a desire to serve others and a humble dependence on God.
Beginnings
In the late 1890’s in territorial Arizona, a group of farming families started a Sunday School known as “Highland Union Sunday School.” Although there were already two Methodist Episcopal churches in Phoenix, the families needed something closer to their homes. They began meeting every Sunday afternoon in the basement of Creighton Elementary School at 28th Street and East McDpwell Road.
Shortly after Arizona achieved statehood in 1912, the growth of the Sunday School encouraged the members to vote to become a church and in 1914, a congregation was formed with 40 members. Their first service was held on Easter Sunday, 1915, and on July 4, 1915, the church was accepted into the Southern California Methodist Conference and they formally became Creighton Community Church, Methodist Episcopal.
Just a few years later land was purchased across the street from the School (29th Street and East McDowell) and the congregation constructed their first building which was lit by kerosene lamps and heated by a pot bellied stove. In 1926, an educational building and parsonage were constructed next to the Sanctuary. On Christmas Eve, 1935, the Sanctuary caught fire and the fire spread to the parsonage next door. They both burned to the ground and the flames could be seen for miles!
A New Sanctuary and Growth
By 1938, in the midst of the Great Depression, a new Sanctuary was constructed with adobe blocks made from clay removed from where the basement would be. Over the next two decades as the community grew, the church continued to grow with children, youth, families and adults. On Easter Sunday, 1954 the church recorded 536 people attended services. It was an all time record. The cornerstone from the Sanctuary is now in the courtyard just utside the doors of the present Sanctuary.
Relocation and More Growth
During the 1960's, it became apparent the congregation needed room to grow! After much discussion, the congregation purchased 5 acres of land at 49th street and Thomas Road. The land had been purchased in 1934, by Michael and Norma Murphy who had constructed a Spanish Style home on the property that is now on the list of historical places and fondly known to the congregation as “Murphy House.”
In 1965, the congregation moved to the new location and began meeting in Murphy House. They quickly outgrew Murphy House and moved to the VFW Hall across the street from the church. In 1968 Creighton Hall was completed, a beautiful multi-purpose building that would serve as Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall for the next twenty years. It was during this time that the Methodist Episcopal Church merged with the United Brethren Church and the United Methodist Church was born. The church finally became Creighton United Methodist church
By the late 1980’s the congregation had outgrown Creighton Hall and the dream of a beautiful Sanctuary was born. Through hard work and great sacrifice the dream became reality when the present Sanctuary was dedicated in October 1988. At the time of construction, the Sanctuary was considered to be one of the most beautiful houses of worship in the valley with architects, artists, photographers and busloads of tourists coming to marvel and worship. Over the years as the community around it has changed so has the Creighton family, but the dream of vibrant faith, service to others, and dependence on God remains the same.
Creighton, a church where all are invited and all are welcome!
(You have just read an abreviated history of the church. If you would like to know more, the church office would be delighted to provide a complete history including significant events and clergy who have served the church.)