History

The Story Begins…

On April 24, 1838, the first successful effort to establish a Methodist congregation in Boston was undertaken, leading to the inaugural worship service on May 6, 1838. This marked the beginning of what would become a long-standing presence in the city. On June 25, 1869, Boston Highlands Methodist Episcopal Church was officially incorporated.

By February 4, 1896, a group of Methodists who had been meeting for approximately two years in the Mt. Bowdoin area of Dorchester were formally recognized as Mt. Bowdoin Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1898, these two congregations united, forming Highlands Methodist Episcopal Church.

Under the leadership of the Rev. Charles Tilton, the newly formed Highlands Methodist Episcopal Church acquired land in the "Five Corners" district of Dorchester during the fall of 1898. This land purchase was to construct a new building that could accommodate the growing congregation. On December 3, 1900, the cornerstone of the current church building at the corner of Dakota and Washington Streets in Dorchester was laid.

In 1913, Charles Henry Greenwood, a significant benefactor, requested that the church be renamed Greenwood Memorial Church in honor of his mother, Sarah Greenwood. Since then, Greenwood Memorial UMC has been a beacon of hope in the Four Corners section of Dorchester/Boston, faithfully serving the community for many years.