Irvington United Methodist Church, Circuit Rider, and the Indiana National Road

Front of church and what was originally a home

   While in Irvington Indiana (an historic section of Indianapolis) for a dinner held by the Indiana National Road Association, Sherry and I discovered this very attractive and uniquely designed church building. It is the Irvington United Methodist Church.

  

Pastor Denise Robinson

The front of the building was originally the home of a President of Butler College. According to Pastor Denise Robinson, upon the gift of the home and its property to the Methodist Church, the stipulation was that the home would remain as a part of the new construction.

"circuit rider" sign

   The “Irvington Methodist Church” sign with man on horse refers to what was once known as a “circuit rider”. These were pastors who rode through a territory visiting local congregations on a schedule. Usually, Sunday to Sunday services were lead by lay persons while the “circuit rider” would periodically visit for Communion Service and to check in on the health of the church.

   While the man on the horse may be John Wesley, I think more probable is that it refers to any general “circuit rider”. The book being read may be the Bible. Or it may be the Course of Study which John Wesley required of his circuit riders.

   Most informed Methodists I know of the United Methodist and Free Methodist denominations hold a deep affection for the historic “circuit rider”.

 

German or Swiss influence?

   The Irvington United Methodist Church is a lovely building, invoking a sense of presence in a sacred space. Also, the structures of the wood beams in the ceiling seem to indicate the influence of German architecture.

If you live around Irvington Indiana and you do not have a home church...visit Irvington United Methodist Church. 

Check out their website...

http://www.irvingtonumc.org/

   The church sits along Washington Avenue, which also is US 40. More historically relevant is the fact that US40 runs atop what was originally the National Road in Indiana.

I invite you to learn more about the National Road at:

http://www.indiananationalroad.org/