Winona Lake Free Methodist Church Changes Location After 89 Years, Renames Itself Capstone Free Methodist Church

Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, a congregation with a rich history spanning 89 years, will relocate to a new location after decades of service at its original site on College Avenue. The church, which first held services in 1935 at the Publishing House Chapel, grew rapidly and eventually outgrew its initial space. In 1942, the congregation moved to a new building designed to resemble the Martha and Mary Chapel in Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village. Over the years, the church expanded with the addition of a parsonage in 1958 and an educational wing in 1978.

Pastor Rick Hurley noted that Grace College, a nearby institution, expressed interest in purchasing the church property to expand its facilities. The decision to relocate was ultimately left to the congregation, which explored several potential sites. After touring options, the church chose the former Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, which had been for sale for about a year. The congregation held an open house at the new location and voted almost unanimously to move.

Hurley reflected on the emotional significance of leaving the original site, which has been home to the church for nearly a century. “The church has been here 89 years. It’s got a good history here in Winona Lake. We had our last service on the 24th. There was some tears. It was an emotional time because there’s a lot of memories in this building,” he said. Despite the sentimentality, Hurley emphasized that the move was a necessary step for the church’s future.

The church will officially change its name to Capstone Free Methodist Church and will hold its first service at the new location on December 1. The new facility, located at 2033 S. 150W in Warsaw, features elevators and a more accessible layout, which will benefit the congregation, particularly those who have faced challenges with the current building’s stairs.

Hurley highlighted the church’s commitment to serving the community, noting that its preschool and daycare programs will now offer childcare services on the south side of Warsaw. “We get to help out Grace College, which is nice. So the (old) building is going to be in good hands,” he said. The church also expressed hope for positive impact in the new neighborhood, with Hurley stating that many members are excited about the move.

The relocation marks a new chapter for the congregation, blending its historical legacy with a vision for future growth and community service. As the church transitions to its new location, it remains focused on its mission of faith, outreach, and care for its neighbors.

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