The congregation of The East Avenue Methodist Church was formed in 1871 by lay people who saw and felt a need to know God and to follow Jesus Christ. This mission is continued today by people who want to serve God by serving others. For more than 125 years, our church has had a presence in the community, worshipping God and ministering to our neighbors.

We are a friendly, God-loving church. We invite you to join us for worship and to feel this same love of God.

Our History  1871 to 1996

As compiled by Gussie Clark, Church Historian, on the occasion of our 125th Anniversary

One-hundred and twenty-five years ago, a consolidated railroad with a bridge across the Norwalk River and a footpath made it possible for Norwalkers to travel to East Norwalk. There, the East Avenue United Methodist Church had its beginning. Many people came to East Norwalk to build their homes, and 34 of these earnest Christian people became the nucleus of the church.

During the winter of 1870-1871, classes and prayer meetings were held in various homes. The basement of the home of James L'Hommedieu was made suitable for these meetings and for a Sunday School. When the congregation outgrew the basement, an old railroad workmen's shanty, which was being used by the L'Hommedieu brothers as a carpenter shop, became the new house of worship.

Before long, the group needed an even larger gathering place. A committee was appointed to raise money for a lot and a building, and a site was chosen on the corner of Rowan Street and East Avenue. The deed to this property was dated February 14, and the purchase price was $1,400.

On April 9, 1872, the new church was completed, at an estimated cost of $3,000. Dedication services were held, the church was called "The First Methodist Episcopal Church" of Norwalk, and it was recognized as a separate society from the "First Methodist Church of South Norwalk."

For the next 20 years, the church society grew and prospered. In 1889, it was decided that the building was too small, so on May 1, a committee prepared plans for a new church. The cornerstone was laid in 1890, and the old church was moved across the street, where services were held during construction. (This building still stands on a site bordering the Mill Pond, adjacent to the Peerless Manufacturing Company.) The new church was dedicated on March 1, 1891, at a cost of approximately $16,500.

Andrew Carnegie donated $1,125 toward the purchase of a pipe organ. Costing $2,695, the instrument was dedicated in the sanctuary on June 15, 1910.

On September 28, 1923. the corner lot on Van Zant Street was purchased for $1,800. Ground was broken on this site, which is our present Christian Education Building, on April 12, 1959. In November 1959, Bishop Newell officiated at the consecration of the new wing.

On April 23, 1968, there was a merger of the "Evangelical United Brethren Church" and the "Methodist Episcopal Church." The result was "The East Avenue United Methodist Church."

In 1971, we began leasing our Education building to various day care centers. The first was the NEON Cay Care Center, followed by Busy Bodies and the Play Loft Early Learning Center.

Our participation in the Norwalk Oyster Festival, where we make our famous funnel cakes, began in 1978. This tradition contines each September.

In 1985, the parsonage on Rowan Street, which is located next door to the church, was sold. In that same year, a new parsonage on Walter Avenue was purchased.

In 1990, a "Cross and Flame" unit was put in place on the Van Zant Street side of the
education building

Throughout 1996, charter member "Annie Hodges," portrayed by Jean Frawley, the only living descendant of the original 34 members, has brought us through the years to the present time with her monthly history messages.

In 1996, on what would have been the Sunday nearest his 100th birthday, the chapel was rededicated to the memory of Dan Rowland.


I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the Lord."
Psalms 122:1