History:

Rev. A. Hartman, Methodist pastor from Great Bend, preached the first Methodist sermon in Larned on September 20, 1873.  The Larned Methodist Church was organized that very day with seven members.  Services were first held in the Santa Fe depot and then in the Grand Army of the Republic building, which used to stand on the corner of 4th and Main.  Sunday School classes were begun in 1878 with 7 teachers and 50 members.  In 1877 lots were purchased at 7th and Main and the first brick building was constructed and dedicated in 1878.  In 1953 construction was begun on a new Educational Building; in 1958 a new Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall were started. During that construction the congregation worshipped in the State Theater.  Construction was completed in 1963 and on December 23 a "Homecoming" service was held.  In 1998 the 125th Anniversary was celebrated with a Homecoming party for present and past members.  The new carpet and pew cushions were installed in the Sanctuary at that time to enhance the celebration.

In 1882 the clergy family occupied the first parsonage that was provided by the Church.  In 1917 a new parsonage was erected; it was constructed from a Sears and Roebuck kit.  The kitchen was renovated and a laundry room and bathroom were added in 1973.  This parsonage housed the clergy family until 2006.  A Charge Conference in the summer of 2005 approved the relocation of the parsonage.  The congregation donated many hours to bring this house into compliance the Conference standards and to make it handicapped accessible.  Kansas Are Bishop Scott Jones and Dodge City District Superintendent, Dennis Kuder, were present for the Dedication of the new parsonage on January 29, 2006.  This was the first major capital campaign that the congregation had undertaken in 45 years.

The United Methodist Women have a significant role in the work of the church.  This organization was originally named the Ladies Aid Society.  Many of the members remember when it was known as WSCS, the Women's Society of Christian Service.  The current UMW was organized on September 8, 1973.  The membership is divided into three Fellowships: Lydia, Rachael, and Ruth.  The UMW continues to fulfill its purpose which is to seek to know God and to make life better for the women, children, and youth and marginalized neighbors in the ever-expanding global village of today's world.  The operation of the Budget Shop is the UMW's largest ministry.  The proceeds from the Budget Shop and the Annual New England Dinner are utilized to support local mission projects and the global ministries of the Church.  The New England dinner debuted in 1882 and continues today.

The congregation experienced growth as the following nearby rural congregations joined Larned: Tiny in 1946, Ash Valley in 1950, Zook in 1968, Radium in 1984, and Pleasant Hill in 2001.