“Come as you are” welcomes Belmont United Methodist Church. This church seeks to engage the Belmont community through a life-changing Christian journey. It stands here at 421 Common Street.
Belmont United Methodist Church wants to impact Belmont with the message of Jesus Christ. This impact happens through words and actions. The church hopes to renew the community as well.
Belmont United Methodist Church is a loving and friendly community. It worships God. It serves others. The church teaches from the Bible. It follows the example of Jesus.
The Belmont United Methodist Church is a community of Christ-followers. They grow in love of God and neighbor. This love defines Christian discipleship here. It reflects Jesus’ call to make disciples.
Belmont UMC believes every person has sacred worth. Every person is created in God’s image. The church commits to inclusive love. It cares for and welcomes all people. This includes every race ethnicity and age. It welcomes all sexual orientations and gender identities. It includes marital status and faith story. It encompasses physical and mental ability. It includes economic status and political perspective.
The church respects diverse opinions. It values diverse expressions of faith. God loves everyone here. So they love and serve in Christ’s name. Belmont UMC is a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network.
First United Methodist Church started in 1911. It began as “Main Street Methodist Church” under Reverend J.A. Bowles. They met in tents and Belmont Central School. A dedicated church building opened on South Main Street in May 1912.
Over the years the church grew stronger. In 1957 the name changed to “First United Methodist”. This allowed them to buy a new location on South Point Road in 1967. Construction started in May 1974. The first service was held on September 7 1975.
Many churches once buried members on church grounds. Families were often laid to rest there. Members were baptized worshipped and lived their lives of service at the same church.
As people moved to cities this tradition became less common. A columbarium continues the tradition of the church cemetery. Belmont’s columbarium honors those inurned there. It serves as a place of honor prayer reflection and remembrance.
Belmont’s columbarium is located by the Acklen Avenue entrance. It’s near Ferguson Chapel. It occupies the space formerly used as a prayer room. Current plans include an indoor columbarium. There is potential for a future outdoor location. This would be between the main Belmont building and the Community Center.
The columbarium is open to all members of BUMC. It includes their immediate families. This means spouse partner and children. It is also available to former Belmont pastors. It includes their spouse partner and children.
Each niche has space for two urns. The church provides these urns. A niche may be shared by two unrelated individuals. They would split the cost of the niche. The desired niche location may be chosen when reserving.
Each niche will include a granite plaque. It will display the person’s name. It will also show the date of birth and death.
To reserve a niche contact the church office. Use requires a signed Agreement of Use. Payment of any fees is also required.
The family arranges cremation. This is done with a crematorium or funeral home. The cost of cremation is not included in the niche reservation. The church provides the urn for the ashes. A church representative offers information and support.
Floral tributes may be used on the day of inurnment. Individual niches cannot be decorated due to space limitations. A committee handles the columbarium’s administration.
Belmont is committed to perpetual care of the ashes. If the church moves the church commits to moving the columbarium. It will continue in a peaceful space.
The word “columbarium” comes from the Italian word “columba”. It means “dove”. Dove nesting places were rows of small wooden boxes called columbaria. People noticed the walls of niches for ashes looked similar. They used the same word. They may have been inspired by the spirits rising to heaven like doves.