"Years of Change"
In the church and in the Community
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A LITTLE HISTORY...

The year was 1851.  Millard Fillmore was President of the United States.  Harriet Beecher Stowe was busy writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin.  Cholera was taking its toll in Jackson County, MO.  And a small group of farmers was establishing a new Methodist congregation about five miles south of Independence, MO. 

That congregation continues today, more than 150 years later, as Blue Ridge Blvd. United Methodist Church. And it does so in almost the exact location of its beginnings in a rough-hewn log schoolhouse by the side of the Old Santa Fe Trail.  Today, the site is a the busy suburban intersection of 51^st and Blue Ridge Boulevard in Kansas City, MO.

After eight years in the schoolhouse, the congregation built its first church in 1859 on land donated by one of its members.  The sons of church members worked beside family slaves to make and lay bricks for the structure, known as Young’s Chapel, which served the community until 1908.  It was replaced that year by a new building at the same site.  A fire nearly 44 years later, on March 13, 1952, destroyed that second Young’s Chapel.

The current facility began unfolding in stages as the Blue Ridge congregation responded to the needs and challenges of rapid population growth in the area during the 1950's and 60's.  It’s most recent response to the changing needs of worshipers was a major expansion and renovation project, completed in 2000. 

Throughout the changes in its physical structure, the church has maintained an unchanging  commitment to sharing the “good news” of Jesus Christ and to serving in his name.  Children’s and youth education and activities have been a top priority since the first Sunday School was organized in 1888.   A special education class known as "The Samaritan Class" established in 1955 continues today,   The United Methodist Women remain faithful to their 124-year-old tradition of missions emphasis while the congregation as a whole vigorously addresses the needs of its community and beyond with  financial and volunteer support. 

In 1851, the preacher arrived just once a month and worship was an all-day affair.  The gospel message is the same today and always, but worship styles at Blue Ridge reflect the varying preferences of today’s worshipers.  Both pipe organ accompanied, traditional services and a lively contemporary service led by energetic praise singers and band are offered each Sunday.

Blue Ridge members are grateful to their faithful forefathers and proud of their church’s long history.  They also understand that they are writing the next chapter as they work and serve, teach and preach, and love in Jesus name.