ABOUT US

The history of Tuskawilla United Methodist Church began in June of 1980 when seventeen worshipers gathered at Harbor School for services.  The Reverend Barbara Williams Riddle was the founding pastor and within three months had expanded this infant church to forty-five.  The congregation found a temporary worship center across the road at Red Bug Elementary.  The congregation became chartered on December 14, 1980 with seventy-one members and fifteen preparatory members.

The first building, a 6,900 square foot multi-purpose facility and our current fellowship hall, was ready for occupancy in November of 1982.

The church was growing in numbers and needed space for Sunday School classes, meetings, youth group and more.  The two-story education building was the second phase of construction reaching completion in June 1987.

TUMC's preschool, the Early Childhood Weekday Program, began in the fall of that year with Nancy Scheid as director.

TUMC bid farewell to the Riddles in 1988 and welcomed our newly-assigned pastor, Reverend David Fuller, in June.  Rev. Fuller concentrated on church programs during his tenure.  He initiated our age group ministries and continued the growth and nurturing of our youth programs.

June of 1992 brought a new pastor to the TUMC family, Dr. Glenn L. Quam. 

Dr. Quam paved the way for a new building program by negotiating the purchase of property adjacent to TUMC.  This property opened the possibility of expansion, ultimately resulting in our new sanctuary.

Rev. Samuel "Skip" Parvin became our pastor in June of 1994.  Rev. Parvin began a three-year stewardship program in 1996 to fund the building of our new sanctuary.  The fruits of this campaign became a reality when the beautiful worship center, complete with stained glass windows, was consecrated on February 27, 2000.

Rev. Charley Reeb took the TUMC leadership reins in July of 2003.  Under Pastor Charley's leadership, small group studies became a vital part of the church's focus.  With a passion for people and preaching, Pastor Charley will be remembered fondly by his huge and frequent laughter!

In July 2008, TUMC welcomed Reverend Dwayne Craig.  With a desire to see our congregation become more-reflective of the larger Christian community, Reverend Craig encouraged the church to be more intentional about including folks of all walks of life, all ethnicities, all skin colors, all socio-economic backgrounds, those with disabilities, and anyone desiring to be a Christian. Unity and inclusiveness are important themes that are woven into all areas of TUMC.

Tuskawilla United Methodist Church warmly welcomes its current leader, Reverend Molly Warren! Pastor Molly is helping equip all congregants to further the Kingdom of God through forgiveness, healing, and reaching out to the wandering sheep. We look forward to the newest chapter of our journey as we continue to be a place to Belong, Grow, and Serve. 

Many lives have been touched and drawn closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, during the existence of this United Methodist church in the pines on Red Bug Lake Road.  May the next thirty years bring as much growth and excitement as we have seen in the last quarter century where we live out our vision statement, "Belong, Grow, and Serve."