The German Methodist Church of Hamilton began in the early 1830s when a group of German speaking Christians met privately for prayer in their homes.  Dr. William Nast of Cincinnati often came to Hamilton to preach to them.  The congregation was formally aggregated in 1838, one of three congregations on the Methodist circuit along with Mt Healthy in Hamilton County and Richmond, Indiana.
	German Methodist Church, South Front, Dedicated May 5, 1907

At first, services were conducted in the Butler County Court House and later in the First Methodist Church of Hamilton.  In 1854 the group became a member of the Ohio Conference and was organized as the German Methodist Episcopal Church.  In 1859, a church building located at North "C" Street was purchased from the English Lutheran Society.  This was the congregation's first home.

In 1906, under the direction of Rev. W.E. Nocka, a lot was purchased on South Front Street.  The cornerstone was laid for the new church on July 8, 1906 and the building was dedicated on May 5, 1907.

By 1933, there was no longer an interest in having services in the German language and the German Methodist Conference merged with the English Methodist Conference.  The name of the congregation was then changed to Grace Methodist Church to reflect the change in affiliation.

In 1949, the church began to ponder a move to the West Side of Hamilton.  A lot at 1200 W. Main was purchased and on July 18, 1954, the church site at South Front was sold to the Payne Chapel, African Methodist Episcopal.  On September 15, 1956, dedication services were held for the new Grace Methodist Church.

 © 2000 by the Butler County Historical Society