BROTHERS AND SISTERS
We welcome you with love to worship and fellowship with us, to join our ministries and be of service to our community with us or be a part of any activities happening here at SSUMC.
We are a family – some by birth, many more by choice. We think of ourselves as a church that stands in the gap for each other and for the community—offering help, offering hope—all in Jesus’ name. Wherever you are from, whether a life-long Christian, new to the faith, or you have questions about God or faith, you are welcome here.
To create an Environment where People can Know God; Grow in Faith; and Go into the World to Share the Love of Christ through Outreach and Missions
Our Mission
We shall love the Lord with all our hearts. We shall grow in knowledge and the imitation of Christ by discovering, developing and sharing our God-given gifts adding steadily to the church by bringing the unchurched into covenant with God.
Our Story
The church now known as South Shore UMC is the product of several mergers involving several predecessor congregations. As a result of mergers in 1926, 1927, and 1973, only one United Methodist Church now serves the South Shore community.
The South Chicago congregation, organized in May 1881, must be recognized as the first ancestral congregation, located at 91st Street and Exchange Avenue. This congregation grew and occupied several different locations in the neighborhood until it merged with the Hyde Park Methodist Church.
In 1926
The Hyde Park and South Shore churches merged to form the original South Shore Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1927
The Parkside and 77th Street congregations merged to form the St. John’s Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1973
The Southfield, South Shore and St. Johns congregations merged to form South Shore United Methodist Church, locating in the building formerly occupied by St. John’s congregation alone.
In 1978
The congregation celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary, commemorating the date the church located at 7350 S. Jeffery in 1928.
LEADERSHIP & Staff
Eugene Williams
Council Chair and NIC Lay Leader
Email: 185cpd@gmail.com
Sharron Johnson
Administrative Assistant
Email: southshoreumc@sbcglobal.net
Stephanie Purnell
Staff Parrish Relations Committee Chair
Email: slpurnell@yahoo.com
Jewel Herrell
Finance Committee Chair
Email: jewelherrell@yahoo.com
Dorothy Hawkins
Finance Secretary
Christel Ward
Treasurer
John Williams
Trustee Chair
Email: jw091149@gmail.com
Peggy Brown
Trustee Vice Chair
Mounia Williams Hardaman
Food Pantry Coordinator
Email: mouniahardaman@yahoo.com
William Bell
Custodial Engineer
Worship Team
Eugene Williams, Evelyn Carter, Barbara Dale
Marion Miller, Berlina Baker, Jewell Herrell, Althea Murry
COMMUNITY PARTNER
Common Connections Foundation
Alison Jenkins, Founder (SSUMC Member)
The best is yet to come!
Many people have come through the halls of our church who have been faithful disciples of Jesus, seeking to help bring the love of Christ to our community and to the world.
We look forward to sharing what we have found at South Shore United Methodist Church with all who God sends to join us. Our history is not as important as our future. The best is yet to come!
About the UMC
South Shore United Methodist Church is a part of the Chicago Southern District (now Lake South District) of the United Methodist Church. In addition to the South Shore community, we serve the south side of Chicago in general, including the Lake Front and Hyde Park areas, as well as the Southern suburbs.
Check out the links below to learn more about The United Methodist Church, its work around the world.
Celebrating What Makes Us United Methodist