Welcome to Springfield First!
Springfield First is a spiritually active, multi-generational community devoted to transforming the world through Jesus Christ. Our focus is to strengthen your relationship with Christ by helping you find your place here through worship, small groups, serving opportunities, and more. Whether you are new to church or a lifelong attendee, you are welcome at Springfield First!
A Rich History with an Even Brighter Future
Our church began with a meeting in a cabin in Springfield in 1821. For 200 years, we have met and worshiped in various locations but always had the goal of making disciples of Jesus Christ and transforming the world around us.
Services were moved to a log schoolhouse, and then to a frame church built at 5th and Monroe in 1854. In 1885, a new stone church was built at a new site at 5th and Capitol. Revivals near the turn of the century brought hundreds of new members, and the church continued to grow through the mid-20th century. A new church building opened at the same site in 1979.
In 1992, as church leaders saw that the west side of Springfield was expanding, 66 acres were purchased at Wabash and Koke Mill Road, and the Community Life Center (then the Family Life Center) was opened at its current location in 1995. The Sanctuary was added in 2006, with all services moving to the new location in 2008.
We are grateful for our rich heritage, for those who came before us to make this ministry possible. Our mission stands to help us grow to be more Christ-centered and to spread the love of Jesus throughout the world.
We celebrated our 200th Anniversary on May 22-23, 2021, and we looked back at our history and forward to where God is leading us. Come with us as we make history in the next 200 years!
Common Questions
We celebrate our contemporary and traditional services each Sunday. We try to have something for everyone. Check out the Worship page for details.
- Contemporary Worship – 9:00am & 10:30am in the Community Life Center
- Traditional Worship – 10:30am in the Sanctuary
United Methodist Christians practice what we call an “open table,” which means that everyone, regardless of spiritual background, is welcome to participate in Communion at Springfield First.
You can find us at the southwest corner of Koke Mill Road and Wabash Avenue. There is an entrance to the parking lot on Koke Mill Road and on Wabash Avenue.
You can expect a smile, a laugh, and an open invitation to learn more about Jesus. It’s a “come as you are” atmosphere. There is no dress code. Whether you choose jeans and a t-shirt, or something formal, you will be warmly welcomed. Whether you are a life-long believer or checking out church for the first time, you are welcome here.
We are so glad you are interested in membership at Springfield First! Taking the G6 Class and New Member Class are prerequisites for membership. Learn what it means to become a more deeply devoted disciple of Christ.
Keeping you and others safe in church is a very serious topic for us. Our off-duty policemen, safety team, and Safe Sanctuaries policies all work together to ensure safety each weekend.
We love children of all ages! KidLife is currently open for nursery, preschool, and K-5th graders on Sunday mornings during the 9:00am and 10:30am worship services. There is also a “wiggle room” at back of the Sanctuary. View our KidLife page for more details.