During the early days of the church in Lawrence Township (in Indiana), Methodist pioneers met in the homes and established societies served by circuit-riding ministers. The Newhouse Society was organized at the home of Benjamin Newhouse, located midway on the west side of North Shadeland Avenue between 42^nd and 46^th Streets. The Society was composed of Benjamin Henry and Edmund Newhouse and their wives Mahala, Elizabeth, and Sallie. On July 6, 1837, the election of Trustees for the Newhouse Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church was held. Hezekiah Smith, William Cotton, Abraham Vines, Reuben Hunter and Benjamin Newhouse were elected. For about ten years, the society met in the homes of Henry and Benjamin Newhouse.

On February 2, 1846, Henry donated about one-half acre of farm land to the church. This land is located near today's I-465 and Pendleton Pike interchange. A hew log church was built and the society was renamed Concord.

One-half acre of land was purchased from James White on March 26, 1860 in the village of Lanesville. This land is located on the west side of Franklin Road near Records Street. Here a small, one-room, frame church was built. About 1866, the county commissioners granted a petition that changed the name to Lawrence to correspond with that of the Post Office. As a succession of circuit-riding ministers served the congregation, it was attached to various circuits as they were changed to accommodate church growth.

In September of 1917, the Lawrence Charge was made headquarters for the camp work at Fort Benjamin Harrison and Rev. Harry W. Baldridge was appointed camp pastor. Because the one-room church was considered inadequate to properly serve the Fort and the community plans to construct an addition were formulated. Construction began in early February, 1918 and the building was dedicated June 9,1918. The Methodist Church remained at this location for nearly forty years.

The Army Finance Center was built at Fort Benjamin Harrison in 1952. This caused a rapid increase in the population of the area. It soon became apparent that the church in Lawrence could not adequately serve the membership. After much prayer and deliberation, the decision was made to build a new church on Shadeland Avenue. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held on April 27, 1958 and the first worship service in the sanctuary was held September 6, 1959. To provide more seating in the sanctuary as well as a larger choir area and office space, an addition was built in 1976. Recent major projects have included a new roof and air-conditioning for the Sunday School Wing.

Most recently, a new sanctuary has been built on the eastside of the church. This provides room to grow for the future.

The former sanctuary has been remodeled, and renamed - The Gathering Place. On Sunday mornings, it is the site of Fellowship Time where the Nealites serve coffee, juice and donuts.

As in the past, we are reaching out to the community, assimilating new people into the church and involving our members in the ministry of Christ's Church. Continuing ministries include:

• Lawrence United Methodist Preschool has been on the first floor of the Sunday School wing since 1966. Some current children are grandchildren of previous students.
• In 1998, Our Place Child Care Ministry (OPCCM) was opened to provide an option for infant to preschool aged children.
• Other groups have been members of our family for many years. Boy Scout Troop # 100 has met at Lawrence Church since 1943. An Alcoholics Anonymous group, and other self-help workshops meet at Lawrence Church.

Through the years, Lawrence Church has provided a sanctuary for people searching for Christ. The building project, and services have challenged the congregation to reach out to the neighborhood. As we create history, we invite you to join us. Many members who grew up in the church still worship with us. Lawrence Church welcomed many talented people when Fort Benjamin Harrison was open. Now the church provides a fellowship of Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors for worshipers who are seeking a church home.  Please join us next Sunday.