1840 — Circuit Riders preaching the Gospel on horseback brought Methodism to the Barrington Area. In 1840, a group of eighteen Methodists led by John Allen began to meet as a class in the Dundee Circuit, worshipping in homes, and then in a stone building near what is now Bateman and Algonquin Roads.

1853 — In 1853, they built a church at the corner of Sutton and Dundee Roads known as the Old North Church at Barrington Center in what is now Barrington Hills. This church still stands today with its cemetery where many of the early Methodist pioneers are resting.

1858 — In 1854, the Northwestern railroad had come to Barrington and more and more families were moving to the small village. Land was purchased at the corner of Ela and Franklin Streets and construction began on a new church complete with bell tower and spire. It would hold about 125 people and served the Methodists for 12 years. By this time, they had outgrown this building and sold it to the Catholic Community for the first St. Anne Church.

1872 — The ladies of the church accumulated enough money to purchase a lot on Cook Street to build a new church, known as the Cook Street Church. It was dedicated December 22, 1872. It cost $4,000 and was lit by 87 oil lamps. For 57 years, it served as a focal point for church and community activities and is today the Masonic Temple.

1928 — Rev. “Boots” Buthman and the congregation started plans for a larger church, and needed to raise $60,000. Shortly thereafter, Rev. Buthman died and the Great Depression hit. A core group of members took on this task and purchased the building known as the Zion Evangelical Church for $700. Chicago architect and church member Robert Work redesigned it. It originally faced Lincoln Street, but was turned to face Hough Street. The bell from the Cook Street Church was installed and this Colonial style building was dedicated in 1931. For close to 70 years, this church was known as “The Church in the Heart of the Community, with the Community at Heart”. Many service organizations had their roots in this building, and it had a strong tradition of service and outreach in the Barrington area.

1998 — On October 28, 1998, the Barrington United Methodist Church suffered a devastating fire. The church building was destroyed and our members came together that evening for worship, for comfort, and for prayer. For five years, the congregation worshipped in the Salem United Methodist Church and District 220 auditoriums. Our members came faithfully each week hauling supplies in their cars and a rental truck. A building committee was appointed and work began on the new site at the corner of Routes 59 and Algonquin Road in Barrington Hills.

2003 — After years of prayer, decision-making and fundraising, our current building was dedicated October 5, 2003. The hopes and dreams of our ancestors have come full circle in this space literally just down the road from our beginnings. Today our congregation is thriving and growing with two worship services, faith development for all ages, fellowship and service opportunities. We are reminded of our history by the bell which now hangs in our Columbarium Garden as it has moved with our congregation through the ages from the Barrington Church in the 1860’s, to the other Village sites, and finally to this place, having been saved from the fire.

Our steeple shines as a lasting sign of our faithfulness to God’s call in our community, now and in the days ahead.