Ronald United Methodist Church, at the Heart of Shoreline

By Phyllis Johnson

Ronald Methodist Episcopal Church was chartered on a snowy day in February of 1909 in the community known as Ronald from the name of the Interurban station that was located nearby.

The church, which grew out of a Sunday School, continued to meet in the Ronald School until 1910 when a church was built on land given by a Mrs. Herrick on the northwest corner of 175th and Linden Avenue. The Linden Avenue church seated only 50 people and lacked classrooms and kitchen, so in 1925, it was time to build again. This time land on Aurora Avenue was chosen as being closer to the center of the growing community. In 1951 the chapel and education wing were added and in 1967 a new sanctuary was dedicated. That concluded, for then, the building of buildings. A pipe organ was added in 1979, a grand piano was consecrated in 2001, and a much needed elevator has been added.

Ronaldrocks RonaldUMC, a foundation of support and care in the community.
Construction crews found this rock on the UMC property.
It appears to be a metamorphic greenstone
like the rock recently analyzed
by SCC Geology Professor Emma Agosta (see previous story)

Over the years, in spite of the additions, alterations, and reconstructions that have taken place in the building itself, Ronald United Methodist Church has held true to its original mission serving the spiritual needs of countless people as a center for worship and a source of comfort. 

Since the early days of Ronald Church, along with supporting missions and programs to benefit people in all parts of our nation and world, we have been a presence in our community by providing space for both child and adult day cares when there was a need. For several years a Tagalog language met for worship in the chapel. At another time a Ukrainian congregation worshipped in our sanctuary. We continue to host community meetings and give a home to youth organizations, 12 step programs, senior activities, and other groups needing a place to gather. Several ethnic communities conduct their events at Ronald. We are also working in partnership with local agencies such as Hopelink and see this as an important part of our mission. 

The charter members were all descendants of Western Europeans. Today over half of those active in the church have their roots in Africa, the Caribbean, Japan, the Philippines, Canada, and Central and South America. This diversity has made our church a richer and livelier place. We feel blessed to be located at the heart of Shoreline and look forward to continue as a partner in building our city.