Methodists have met in Sudbury since 1823 when class meetings were established in a local school. In 1836, the first Church was built and in 1896 it was remodeled. That structure is now the Presbyterian Church in the town center.

In 1956, under the leadership of L. Roy Hawes, the congregation decided to purchase the present site of the church. Hawes was head of the Sunday School and recognized the need for modern facilities to serve the youth of the community.

Over the next seven years, most of the present structure was constructed, culminating in the opening of the Sanctuary on June 23, 1963. In 1986 and 1992, additions were made to the structure, resulting in the complex we now have. Construction work from the very beginning has been done for the most part by members of the congregation. It is the largest church in North America constructed by the direct labor of its members.

The Rev. Dr. Blaine Taylor became Pastor in 1961. He led the church in an intensive period of growth, trebling its membership by 1967 when he left. During that time, Congregation Beth El worshipped in the facilities until their Temple could be finished in 1969. Cardinal Cushing became the first Roman Catholic Cardinal to speak in a Protestant Church on January 19, 1964.

Sunny Hill Pre-School, still an extension of the church, was founded in 1958, led by June Spiller.

In 1961, Betty Farmer and others founded the Sudbury Savoyards. The Savoyards were meant to raise funds for the church. Now independent, but still related to SUMC, their profits are devoted to The United Methodist Committee on Relief, for the relief of world hunger.

Throughout its history, the Church has been committed to Outreach and Witness. It has worked with Rosie’s Place since 1974 and as early as 1978 was sending over $40,000 per year to outside Missional work. Presently, some 23% of the Church’s $500,000 Budget is used to help others beyond the local church, in addition to thousands of dollars and hours given by members to other community and social justice causes.