First UMC began in 1853 as Rev. William D. Gage preached at Fort Kearny in the young city of Nebraska City. A collection of listeners organized into a church, which is now recognized as the first Methodist Church in what was still the Nebraska Territory. Throughout the many years since then that Nebraska City residents and guests have worshipped in the First United Methodist Church, the building and its people have been the spiritual home to thousands of hungry, sick, and needy. We have opened our doors to be a community space for the city and the Methodist Conference in Nebraska. We currently house the Nebraska City Food Pantry and serve as a collection site for Midwest Mission Distribution Center and Operation Christmas Child.