First UMC, Norfolk
First United Methodist Church has a long history dating back to 1772. Robert Williams preached his first sermon in Norfolk from the steps of the Court House. Joseph Pilmore came to Norfolk later that year and organized the Wesley Society in Norfolk. The church held several different locations over the years including Fenchurch Street, Cumberland Street, the corner of Cumberland and Freemason, and the current location in Lafayette Residence Park. The church was known as Cumberland Street Methodist until the name was changed to First.
In 1922, the church worshiped in a tent on the property in Lafayette Residence Park while the sanctuary was built. The education building and new sanctuary were built in the 1950’s.
The congregation is proud to be the first Methodist church in Norfolk and the mother church to many congregations in the area as well as the raising of many pastors to the ordained ministry.