Liberty United Methodist Church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009. The church was established in 1909 when several pioneer families donated money and land to build a church. Nathaniel Sanders donated the land and $500 for construction. The church's first pastor was Reverend S.G. Rogers. Over the decades, the church grew and had to rebuild attendance in the 1950s as new churches opened. It continues to serve the community today and looks forward to many more years of ministry.

1. Liberty United Methodist Church 1909 - 2009 Centennial Celebration

2. Territorial Governor, Richard Sloan, is campaigning for statehood with President William Howard Taft. Arizona Territory, 1909

3. Not waiting on Washington.. Liberty’s pioneer families, already carving out a good life in the rich valley along the Gila River, had been coordinating efforts to build a church since the summer of 1908.

4. Nathaniel Sanders donated the land upon which the church would be built along with $500 for construction. Henry Hammels and John Knight also donated $500 each, while John and Loretta Beloat were among others who donated significantly toward the church’s construction. Construction begins.. SANDERS HAMMELS THE BELOATS

5. The Church Doors Open Wide In the spring of 1909, the Liberty United Methodist Church opened its doors. The Reverend S.G. Rogers, a young, single man, fresh out of Vanderbilt University, was appointed the first full-time pastor.

6. A Community Grows… Many of Liberty’s pioneer families came together each week for worship and fellowship. Lydia & V.O. Shepard William & Sara McDonald The E. Carter Hazelton Family The Abraham Charlton Family

7. And Grows Some More Fred & Beulah Kaufman Frank & Pearl Couch Peter & Carrie Van Liere The Hubert Kieffer Family Mildred & Jack Shepard

8. Regrouping in the 1950’s Membership declined throughout the 1940’s with the opening of new churches in Buckeye. Minister Gerard Kaye worked with a small but loyal group of members to rebuild membership throughout the 1950’s. John Beloat, Ralph Wilson & Gerard Kaye

9. The Next Generation With Daily Sapp serving as pastor, membership continued to grow throughout the 1960’s. The Balance Family The Brannan’s The Cambron’s The DeMuth’s The Dunning’s The Elliott’s The Eckleberry’s

10. The Wonder Years Kids attending church in the 1960’s were rewarded with a stick of Juicy Fruit gum from Mr. Beloat. The Gallagher’s The Mancuso’s The Meade’s The Osborn’s The Romine’s Virginia Jones The Shulz Family

11. Energy for a New Century In 2003, Pastor Beverly Ritland brought her unique blend of leadership, worship and fun to Liberty United Methodist Church.

12. Fun at Fellowship Hall Few restaurants can match the epicurean delights served up in the Fellowship Hall.

13. 100 Years...... LUMC continues to evolve in order to better meet the needs of the community it serves.

14. ...and going strong

15. Centennial Worship Service

18. Leading Worship Today

19. Pastoral Ministry 1960-1962 O. Knowlton 1931-1935 G.Western 1956-1960 1955-1956 1953-1955 1951-1953 1949-1951 1948-1949 1946-1948 1945-1946 1944-1945 1942-1944 1940-1942 1940-1940 1939-1940 1938-1939 1937-1938 1935-1937 2003- 2001-2003 2000-2001 1998-2000 1997-1998 1996-1997 1994-1996 1991-1994 1983-1991 1978-1983 1973-1978 1972-1973 1968-1972 1966-1968 1962-1966 B. Ritland P. Magyar Vic Hand Rula Colvin D. Rennick D. Escobedo-Frank S. Marshall Clair Siple J. Sommerville D. Sapp L. Boyll C. Boynton Robert Ray D. Cummings D.Sapp R. Wylie 1929-1931 W. Edwards W.Hartley 1928-1929 L. Carrington G.Kaye 1927-1928 B. Glazner E.Beauchamp 1925-1927 G.Marshall R.B. Wylie 1922-1925 J. Crutchfield T.M Pyle 1922-1922 Earl Cropp L.O Hooks 1921-1922 J. Boon H.Severinghaus 1920-1921 T. Hughes H.Marston 1920-1920 W. Sims E.Kernahan 1919-1920 A. Thomas G.McConkey 1917-1919 W. Gaston A.Kidd 1916-1917 W. Duncan A.Bennett 1913-1916 S. Bockman O.Annis 1912-1913 B. Mobley W.Porterfield 1910-1912 R. Fields T.Ludlow 1909-1910 S. Rogers

20. Liberty United Methodist Church stands ready to provide a place of worship, fellowship and community for many years to come. thankful for the past,

21. celebrating the present,

22. an open door to tomorrow.

23. .......... “ No eye has seen no ear has heard no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” Paul