File talk:Tempe-First United Methodist Church-1930.JPG

The First United Methodist Church of Tempe located today on the corner of University Drive and Forest Avenue (215 E. University Dr.) was originally formed from two other denominations of Methodist churches. The Methodist Episcopal Church was formed in 1887 and the Southern Methodist church was loosely begun in 1877. The accepted start date of the current church is 1887. 1939 Brought the elimination of the word "Episcopal" from the official church name and the church has been known as the First Methodist Church of Tempe since.

The land the current church is built on was donated by Mr. Neils Petersen, a successful farmer in early Tempe. In 1913 he donated two lots at the southeast corner of Forest Avenue and 8th Street "just a block from the Tempe Normal School" (which today has become Arizona State University). In addition he pledged two dollars for every dollar donated to build a new Sanctuary on the site. The first Sanctuary was completed on October 11, 1914.

The current Sanctuary still on the same corner (8th street was renamed University Drive at some time), was built in 1963 and remodeled in 2005. The tan building in the photo was constructed in 1947 not 1930. It was constructed to house the Wesley Student Foundation and Sunday school classes. The building today, known as the Fireside Building, houses a food bank for ASU students known as "Pitchfork Pantry". It is an outreach ministry of the church.