TUMC going strong at 150

MEMBERS OF THE TRACY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH congregation recently gathered for a group photo in advance of the church’s 150th anniversary celebration. Church members believe this is the first congregation photo taken since 1912. Photo / Per Peterson

During a time when many churches in small towns are seeing their congregations shrink to the point where they’re unable to keep the doors open, Tracy’s United Methodist Church is staying vibrant. And on Sunday, the church will celebrate its 150th anniversary.

“What I find interesting is the longevity of the Methodist faith here,” said Miron Carney, who began his duties as pastor of the church in August 2021. “We have an anomaly. Our attendance and engagement and giving has gone up about 30% since 2019 — pre-COVID. We’re very fortunate that, for whatever reason, our congregation has really sprung back in the last 12 months.”

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