The mission of Hemenway U.M.C. is to reflect the grace and love of God shown to us in Jesus Christ. We seek to grow as disciples in ministry together in our church and in service to our community and the world. Our hearts, our minds and our doors are always open as we reach out to people of all cultures, ages,
orientations and abilities.
Hemenway Church had its inception with the beginning of Evanston in 1871 and has kept pace with the growth of the city. In 1871, Evanston was a village of little more than 1000 population. Its organization and development following the establishment of Northwestern University.
The Great Chicago Fire sent many citizens into the village of South Evanston. Most houses had a barn for their horses, pigs, chickens, well water, plank sidewalks, Kerosene Lanterns, etc. In the spring of 1872 citizens met to organize a Protestant church In January 1873, the Rev, Mr. A.G.Button was authorized to gather a congregation and hotd services and bible classes. This first church met in a public school on the east side of Ridge Ave. near Washington St. The name of the church was the South Evanston Methodist Episcopal Church.
