DECATUR - The Rev. Cathy Najmon likes to say her 135-year-old church is really only 11 years old.

Najmon and church members are celebrating their 135-year anniversary beginning today with the "Taste of Sharon."

The day will be filled with family activities that include a puppet show, carnival and face painting for children. An all-you-can-eat chicken noodle dinner also will be served.

On Sunday, Najmon will begin a series of sermons on the historical teachings of John Wesley, a minister and founder of the Methodist movement in the 1700s. She will continue throughout the month in recognition of the church's anniversary.

The church's history began like so many other Methodist churches when circuit riders rode through the county preaching to people in their homes.

The first Methodist Society in Macon County organized in 1829 and had camp meetings on the west side of Stevens Creek.

By 1852, elected trustees decided to establish a meeting house and called it the Stevens Creek Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Land on the corner of Wyckles and Center streets was donated to use for church purposes.

In 1873, a new church building was erected and its name changed to "Sharon" referring to a biblical reference that means "beautiful land" in Israel.

Some 34 years later, the church building was raised and a basement added under it.

The church found itself expanding in 1948 by adding three more rooms to the building to accommodate a growing community during post-war times.

In the fall of 1957, church board members began mapping out a fundraising campaign to raise $30,000 for a new church building to be built on the same grounds.

The building was completed and members had their first service in the new facility on Dec. 7, 1958 - it included a new educational wing and multi-purpose sanctuary.

The congregation continued to worship in their beloved second church building until a devastating tornado pulverized it down to dust and debris April 19, 1996.

"A member of the church, Tom Leeper, remembered coming out of his home (west across the field) and looking over to see the church in a pile of rubble," Najmon said.

But, she said, the church members didn't lose faith and were determined to continue on as the congregation had done for more than 100 years.

The present 9,325-square-foot brick church building was built at a cost of $730,000 and dedicated on Nov. 1, 1997.

Back in the earlier days in the 1800s, when services were held in the homes, one was the home of John Gulick.

Several generations of Gulick family members have attended Sharon United Methodist Church over the years.

Herb Gulick, 82, is the fourth generation of Gulicks and oldest living family member still going to the church, said his great-niece, Martha Leeper.

Leeper said she grew up and was baptized in the church. She later married in the church in 1988.

"I love the family nature of the church, and how everyone loves the Lord and is there to worship him," she said. "I think people here at the church have a servant's heart."

The 105-member congregation has even made Pastor Najmon a part of the church family since she arrived in November of 2005. She worked previously as the senior pastor at Evangelical Methodist Church in Washington, near Peoria.

"The people are energized in their faith and are always thinking about hospitality and how to serve the community," Najmon said about the church.

"I love it here and feel blessed to be part of a church that wants to share about Christ, gets excited about missions and wants to try new things," she added.

sheilas@herald-review.com/421-7963.

If You Go

WHAT: Taste of Sharon

WHEN: 3 to 5 p.m. today and dinner served from 5 to 7 p.m.

WHERE: Sharon United Methodist Church, 4363 W. Center St.

COST: dinner is $6.50 for adults and $3 for children ages 4 to 11. Carry-outs are available for additional 50 cents.