About Us

Edgewood Free Methodist got its beginnings in January of 1860 when a woman known as Sister Babcock asked who would go with her to start a Free Methodist church in Rochester. Six people stood up and they said, “Now we will look out for a place for meetings, and go ahead in the name of the Lord…”*

The congregation, originally known as “First Free Methodist Church”, met in a variety of locations including Allen Street, Stillson Street, Central Avenue, Atwater Street and N. Union Street (the current location of New Hope Free Methodist Church). The growing congregation purchased a lot to build a new

church facility in 1957 at 250 Edgewood Avenue. The church became known as “Edgewood Free Methodist Church” and continued to grow. In 1974 a new sanctuary was completed at the present Brighton location.

Edgewood's mission is “helping people find their way home through Christ and His Word.” In order to reach more people in the Greater Rochester area, Edgewood has implemented a multi-campus model, which currently includes two campuses: Brighton and Honeoye Falls (ministry launched beginning of 2007.) Our hope and prayer is that through our multiple campuses and our diverse worship services, we may continue to “go ahead in the name of the Lord…” trusting in God’s grace to lead us.

* From letter written by the founder of the Free Methodist denomination B.T. Roberts, to his wife on January 20, 1860.

Close Move

(2008-2013)

Implement our new plan for discipleship and short-term growth at our Brighton and Honeoye Falls Campuses
Redesign our Brighton Campus for long-term growth
Develop and implement a long-term growth plan for our Honeoye Falls Campus
Start new campuses as we have the opportunity
Assist in global church planting by adopting another country (along with Bolivia)

Close Move

As the name implies, Free Methodists trace their heritage back to original Methodism as led by its founder, John Wesley. When Methodism came to America, churches and annual conferences spread across the land. In 1860, in western New York and Illinois, the Free Methodist Church came into being. In New York a group of 1,000 Methodist laymen held several conventions and were joined by evangelical Methodist pastors. On August 23, 1860, the new denomination came into being.