Welcome to First United Methodist Church of Naples!

We gather together each Sunday in worship to celebrate and honor God, who loved us first. Through worship and faithful discipleship, God’s grace shapes us to become more like Christ, empowering us to share God’s love with all whom we meet.  We are a warm, welcoming congregation that believes in serving our neighbors near and far. We celebrate Baptism and Holy Communion as outward signs of God’s grace in our hearts.

Christ’s table is open to all, so please come and join us!

“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:7 (ESV)

Our Mission

Making Disciples means that we will:

  • Help people to know Jesus for the first time, so that they will realize their sins have been forgiven, feel a call to repent of their sins and accept the wonderful gift of salvation
  • Help people grow in their faith and be transformed by the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus every day, loving God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
  • Help alleviate suffering in  our community and the world as Jesus has asked us to do in Matthew 25, by loving our neighbor.

The mission of the United Methodist Church is:
“To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ
for the Transformation of the World.”

Our History

We are blessed to be the very first church in Naples, Florida. In 1891, Naples consisted of sandy beaches, a 600-foot long pier that extended into the Gulf of Mexico, and a 16-room hotel, the Naples Hotel. There were no phones or electricity and there were barely any roads established. So in 1891, Reverend Gatewood, was sent by the Methodist Conference to establish churches for families living in South West Florida. He organized the Everglades Circuit. First Methodist Church of Naples was a part of that Circuit. The term for each minister was short because of the hardships and hazards and numerous mosquitoes, sand flies, snakes, and wild animals.  As the only church in Naples during those early years, attendees included worshipers of other denominations who eventually left to form their own churches when they attained a large enough nucleus of attenders. First Naples also helped birth several other Methodist congregations in the Naples area. The congregation reached out in mission in the early Naples community and continues to do so today. Those who worship with us find a loving and welcoming place here, in which to grow in their faith.

Our Vision

We are a welcoming church presenting Jesus in positive and loving ways, helping all people to grow spiritually as disciples, and making the world a better place by relieving suffering in our community and around the world.

Our Beliefs

The United Methodist Church is a 10-million-strong global church with members on four continents who, with open hearts, open minds and open doors, are actively engaged with our world, sharing the love of Jesus. We invite you to learn more about our rich theological heritage. We share a common heritage and basic affirmations with all Christian communities. For more information, please click Our Christian Roots.
Learn how Wesley and the early Methodists invited people to experience God’s grace and grow in Christian living by putting faith and love into action. For more information, please click Our Wesleyan Heritage.
United Methodists, like many other Protestants, recognize the two sacraments in which Christ himself participated: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. For more information, please click Sacraments.
The foundation of Christian living is faith in Jesus Christ. Faith does not happen overnight, but is a journey. Little by little, we seek to deepen our relationship with God and our neighbors.