Historian, Joe Heitkamp

Back in '73 (1873, that is), some members of First Methodist Church of Saginaw City, tired of the long ride to church each Sunday, decided to build a mission church near their homes on the Peyoner Farm. They named the church after Bishop Edward R. Ames, who had presided over the Detroit Annual Conference the year before at Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church in East Saginaw. Members dedicated the new church on Oct. 12, 1873, and welcomed their first pastor, the Rev. James Riley.

Ames membership grew steadily throughout the years, and many additions were made to the original wood-frame building. Between 1893 and 1923, a basement was dug to add Sunday school and meeting rooms. By 1923, the gymnasium and community room had also been added. After a fire in 1948, the current sanctuary was constructed to replace the old and somewhat charred one. The following ten years also saw the addition of the chapel and back entrance.

Then in 1995, Ames was transformed once more with the “Building a Miracle” program. Unlike other churches that relocated to Saginaw’s growing suburbs, Ames elected to renovate its longtime home in northwest Saginaw. The newest addition—a glass atrium and lobby—connects the old parsonage with the main building.

This building may be the church’s home, but the spiritual life of Ames matters most. From Eastern Europe to Africa, Latin America to Japan, members and missionaries from Ames have spread the gospel of Christ around the world; and the preaching and leadership of the ministers of Ames have reached the souls of thousands of church members and visitors. With God’s blessing, Ames will continue to serve Him in Saginaw.