About Us
Welcome to the web page of West Virginia's
Barboursville First United Methodist Church! We're glad you're here. Look around, and send us a note to say "hey". Comments and critique welcome. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CHURCH We're a sweet little United Methodist Church located in Barboursville, West Virginia. We have people of all ages, and we are a mostly "traditional" music church, although our pastor sometimes pulls his electric guitar out. We have about three different Sunday School classes each week, for all ages, and we'll often see about 50 people in worship. |
Pastor Kerry frequently takes pictures of himself with our church sign. Sometimes the pictures are just for giggles, but more often than not, there's a meaningful and timely message.
Check out our facebook page to view photo albums of church signs, and check out this article about PK's church signs! |
Check out our links page for more information about The UMC or Barboursville, or to read our latest news or our pastor's latest sermons.
Or just read on for a little bit of information about our church and our pastor.
What is expected of our members?
- Worship regularly. If not out of town or sick, and if your work schedule allows it,
it is expected that members will attend First UMC worship weekly.
- Grow in faith by participating in small groups for study, fellowship, and/or service.
- Serve God with your hands, by volunteering in service to the congregation, community, and the world.
- Give in proportion to your income with a tithe (10%) as an expected goal.
- Share the story of how God is at work in your life.
Now for a little history:
First UMC Barboursville's roots go back almost to the beginning of Barboursville itself. Not long after there were people living where the Mud River and the Guyandotte meet, Methodists were meeting together. A family gave some land for a church building, which gave way to another worship space on the hill (connected with the old Morris Harvey school), and then in 1922 the current church was built in its present location at the corner of Main Street and Water Street. In the late 1800s the Barboursville Methodist Church gave birth to the Steele Memorial United Methodist Church, now located about half a mile south of First Church in Barboursville.
The congregation has long been involved in various missions and outreaches, and we're pleased to offer Sunday School classes for all ages.
Pastor Kerry Bart and his family came to First UMC Barboursville in the fall of 2013. PK has been a United Methodist pastor since 2002, (ordained an elder in 2005) and has served several churches in southeast Pennsylvania since earning a Master of Divinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 2001. He plays piano and guitar (not at the same time!) and enjoys leading youth and "seasoned" Christians alike. He runs, and he likes to tinker around the house, and when he can he likes to ride his 1983 Suzuki GS 650 GL motorcycle. PK's personal mission statement is to "Illumine, Nurture, and Celebrate Hope (INCH) among the hopeful and the hopeless," and he hopes to be available for you in your questions and your journey.
Whatever your story, whatever your background, you're welcome here.
Come to First Church. It's the last church you'll need to visit.
Or just read on for a little bit of information about our church and our pastor.
What is expected of our members?
- Worship regularly. If not out of town or sick, and if your work schedule allows it,
it is expected that members will attend First UMC worship weekly.
- Grow in faith by participating in small groups for study, fellowship, and/or service.
- Serve God with your hands, by volunteering in service to the congregation, community, and the world.
- Give in proportion to your income with a tithe (10%) as an expected goal.
- Share the story of how God is at work in your life.
Now for a little history:
First UMC Barboursville's roots go back almost to the beginning of Barboursville itself. Not long after there were people living where the Mud River and the Guyandotte meet, Methodists were meeting together. A family gave some land for a church building, which gave way to another worship space on the hill (connected with the old Morris Harvey school), and then in 1922 the current church was built in its present location at the corner of Main Street and Water Street. In the late 1800s the Barboursville Methodist Church gave birth to the Steele Memorial United Methodist Church, now located about half a mile south of First Church in Barboursville.
The congregation has long been involved in various missions and outreaches, and we're pleased to offer Sunday School classes for all ages.
Pastor Kerry Bart and his family came to First UMC Barboursville in the fall of 2013. PK has been a United Methodist pastor since 2002, (ordained an elder in 2005) and has served several churches in southeast Pennsylvania since earning a Master of Divinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 2001. He plays piano and guitar (not at the same time!) and enjoys leading youth and "seasoned" Christians alike. He runs, and he likes to tinker around the house, and when he can he likes to ride his 1983 Suzuki GS 650 GL motorcycle. PK's personal mission statement is to "Illumine, Nurture, and Celebrate Hope (INCH) among the hopeful and the hopeless," and he hopes to be available for you in your questions and your journey.
Whatever your story, whatever your background, you're welcome here.
Come to First Church. It's the last church you'll need to visit.
our staff and support

Kerry Bart, Pastor
Becky Baldwin, Organist
Trina Smith, Music Director
Valerie Flesher, Office Admin
Sandra Steiner-Ball, Bishop (West Virginia Annual Conference
of The United Methodist Church)
Okey Harless, District Superintendent (Western District)
Becky Baldwin, Organist
Trina Smith, Music Director
Valerie Flesher, Office Admin
Sandra Steiner-Ball, Bishop (West Virginia Annual Conference
of The United Methodist Church)
Okey Harless, District Superintendent (Western District)
... TO SHARE THE LOVE OF GOD WITH PEOPLE IN A HURTING WORLD...