About Our Church

Church Committee Members

Our vibrant community is enriched by a dedicated team of individuals who selflessly serve on various committees.

Our History

Since its inception in 1871 on Bennett’s Pasture Road, Beech Grove United Methodist Church has been open to the various needs of the community it serves. The church has served the Driver community presently located at 4251 Driver Lane for over a century. The current pastor is the Reverend Andrew Ware, who began serving, and has navigated the congregation through the COVID-19 Pandemic. His hope is that Beech Grove would shine as a beacon of the Kingdom for the community.

Beech Grove’s uniquely welcoming congregation offers the kind of acceptance that enables people to become who they are meant to be through the many opportunities the church provides. We offer a blended style worship welcome to all people at 10:30 AM each Sunday, and the we offer a children’s church experience during the 10:30 am service for children, grades K through 5. We also have a praise choir that sings during worship and performs cantatas for holidays. The praise choir are open to all who desire to share their musical gifts in that way.

Beech Grove is home to several scouting ministries. The Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and the Sea Scouts are an important part of the church and several troops meet at the church. Other activities like Karate for Christ and the Art Group also use the church’s facilities, which are available for community use. In cooperation with other churches in Driver, a year-round youth group has been formed, and Vacation Bible School is held each summer.

The Missions Committee works through several groups both in the church and in the community to offer numerous community outreach programs, such as serving lunches at the Salvation Army and providing school supplies to  Drivers elementary schools. In cooperation with Suffolk Social Services, the church provides Thanksgiving dinners for several families.  This year the congregation filled over 150 Christmas stockings for the  Salvation Army with Christmas gifts for children. Beech Grove is willing to help both church members and non-members when financial crises arise. A food pantry is maintained for this purpose and we have aided travelers in need.

Beech Grove holds a Fall Community Picnic for the neighborhoods and participates in various activities that support  “Driver Days”, the primary fundraising event for the Driver Volunteer Fire Department. Beech Grove United Methodist Church is the home of the renowned Annual Easter Egg Factory. In the weeks before Easter, the factory makes delicious homemade chocolate-covered eggs in four flavors. Most of the proceeds support mission work and other outreach programs. Volunteers are always welcomed to join in the fellowship. See our Easter Egg page or contact the church office for dates and times.

Beech Grove is looking forward to continued growth, further service to the community, and meaningful worship to the glory of God. “We care about ‘the you’ inside, the you that you thought you had to hide” here’s how:

Wisdom: There is no ‘secret’ knowledge to following Jesus, but there is much that cannot be ‘known’ without experience. Beech Grove is blessed to be a church with a significant well of wisdom. Many of our people are very proficient at sharing (when asked) their wisdom born from experience. You will find wisdom among us,  without judgment or pretenses.

Hospitality: Hospitality is the center of who we are. To prove it, ask yourself where you will find a group of blue-collar, white-collar, wealthy, indebted, educated, and somewhat less educated people serving together and enjoying each other’ Beech Grove can be diverse because we simply love people, no matter how they dress,  act, or live. Service: We are a church that the community counts on, and we express that by opening our doors to Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub  Scouts, and Sea Scout programs. We want to open our doors ever wider and make plans to use our land for the community’s benefit. We care about people beyond our walls and express that by sending a team on mission trips worldwide. We love God and our neighbors.

Ministry: When you realize what happens at Beech Grove, you may change your mind about this “small church”.  Our building is small — our spirit is not! The opportunity to worship is just the beginning.  With Bible studies, choir, Praise Band, Middle and High School Youth groups, Scouting, and both Men and Women’s fellowships; there is something for everyone! Direction: We are taking the best of our past, bringing it into the present, and letting God direct the future. We will never cease to care about people, as they are. We will never cease to seek the Word of God, no matter how inconvenient. And we will always  strive to be a church that expresses her care by listening and  responding to the needs of people.”