Can a church be born again? On Sunday, November 23, 2025, Union Village United Methodist Church of Berkeley Heights, NJ celebrated its 200th anniversary, marking two centuries of ministry shaped by God’s grace upon grace. Founded in 1825, the congregation has experienced seasons of growth and seasons of deep challenge, including two closures, periods of dwindling membership, and times of uncertainty. Yet each chapter of renewal has been attributed to God’s faithfulness rather than to circumstance. The bicentennial service stood as a public testimony that God continues to restore and revive the church across generations.
God has worked in ways beyond human expectation to sustain Union Village United Methodist Church through its most uncertain moments. According to the church’s 125th Anniversary record compiled in 1950, the first closure occurred in 1907, and the property was sold to Dr. Willis Fletcher Johnson of New Providence and his brother. As the two men entered the sanctuary with plans to demolish the building, they were overcome by a sudden hesitation. “They could not be parties to the destruction of a church,” the record recounts. Kneeling on the dusty floor in prayer, the brothers canceled the sale, returned the church to the Conference, and invited the minister from the New Providence Church to begin Sunday afternoon services. Through a change of heart and the connectional ministry of The United Methodist Church, God brought Union Village UMC back to life.
Beyond its seasons of closure, Union Village UMC also experienced cycles of both decline and growth across generations. The lowest recorded membership was eight in 1924, yet the church endured. Over time, God continued to draw people to worship at Union Village. In 1948, a young pastor was appointed with the expectation that the church would be closed. However, in a story reminiscent of God’s work through Gideon, the least expected person—the young pastor—became an instrument of renewal. The congregation was spared a third closure and continued to grow, reaching a recorded membership of 1,072 by 1970.
With such a history of resilience, the 200th Anniversary worship service was not only a celebration of the church’s longevity but a commemoration of God’s enduring faithfulness. Current and former members, friends, ministry partners, and those whose lives have been touched by the church filled the sanctuary. Prayer, singing, bell choir, dance, and fellowship rose in thanksgiving. District Superintendent Sang Won Doh delivered the sermon, “Faithfulness Through the Generations,” based on Psalm 100:5, and Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi offered words of encouragement and blessing that renewed the congregation’s longing to witness even more of God’s work.
During the service, Union Village honored those who had served the church as instruments of God over the past 25 years by recognizing appointed lead pastors, assistant pastors, music directors, and administrative assistants. Rev. YoonCheol Shin, the current pastor, also presented a plaque honoring the presence, prayers, gifts, service, and witness of all former and current members. In his remarks, he reaffirmed that Union Village is not merely a building, but the body of Christ made up of its people across generations—past, present, and future. The two longest-living members, Lilian Ralston and Marion LaMaire, received the plaque on behalf of the congregation.
The worship service was not the only way Union Village commemorated God’s faithfulness. Throughout the building, the church displayed historic photos, paintings, and artifacts capturing its 200-year story. The hallway connecting the sanctuary to the pastor’s office traced the physical changes of the church building over time, featuring the names of every minister who has served from 1825 to 2025, along with photographs of many of them. A devoted couple researched United Methodist Archives and local libraries to compile the full list of pastors, including early circuit riders. In another room, an original pew from 1825 was displayed alongside a restored section, offering a glimpse of how it likely appeared 200 years ago, accompanied by a photograph of the original sanctuary where it once stood.
The past decade has not been easy for Union Village. Following the pandemic, the church has faced financial hardship and dwindling membership. Yet God is once again pouring renewing grace upon this congregation. Young families and young adults are joining the community, a youth group has been launched, and signs of growth continue to emerge. For Union Village, the anniversary is not only a moment to give thanks for the past and present; it is another step forward into the future, trusting that God will continue to guide and renew the church in the years to come.