Asbury's History

The Asbury Methodist Church was formed in 1954 by a group of visionary charter members with the blessings and help of the First Methodist Church of Columbus and the financial assistance of the South Indiana Methodist Conference.  Asbury was started because of the need for a Methodist congregation in serve the growing residential area in the north portion of Columbus.  The new church met in members' homes until the initial church structure was built in 1956. 

In 1967 the present church sanctuary was added to accommodate continued growth of the congregation.  Asbury became a part of the United Methodist Church in 1968 when the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Church. 

In 1995 the current pipe organ was upgraded and enlarged as new church construction added a larger fellowship hall, an enlarged and improved kitchen, a larger an better equipped office area, a new educational complex, covered walkways, and a large fellowship circle. 

In 2005 Asbury United Methodist Church, in cooperation with the South Indiana Conference, began assisting a group of visionary families in the development of LifeGate, a new United Methodist congregation seeking members among the growing number of unchurched in Columbus and Bartholomew County.  This mission was closed the end of 2007. 

In 2008 Asbury started a new contempory service called The Gathering on Sunday evenings and continues today.

Ministers 1954 - 2008                  

1954 -1957        Rev. Ernie Jones                                         

1957 -1961        Rev. Jim Ray

1962 -1968        Rev. Dick Yeager

1968 -1976        Rev. Al Hawkins

1976 -1984        Rev. Jack Miller                                  Assoc. Ministers

1984 -1986        Rev. Steve Cherry                             1988 - 1990      Rev. Lamont Bonath

1986 -1990        Rev. Larry Schwartz                          1990 - 1992      Rev. Debra Grady

1990 -1997        Rev. Tony Underwood                      1992 - 1995      Rev. Mark Dwyer

1997 -2001        Rev. Bucky Jordan                            1995 - 2001      Rev. Nancy Chizmar

2001 -2006        Rev Joe Kamman                              2001 - 2006     Rev. Ron Walker

2006 - Present  Rev. Al Styron                                     2008 - Present Rev. Mitch Norwood