Address: First United Methodist Church,  1 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ-07090 (For GPS enter: 130 Ferris Place, Westfield, NJ)

FUMC has been a part of the Westfield community since 1859.  The original sanctuary was replaced by second one, dedicated in 1877.  A steeple, housing a clock and bell, was added for a re-dedication in 1886.
   
The current sanctuary is the third constructed at 1 East Broad Street. It was dedicated in 1911 and houses the historic 1886 E. Howard Clock and Meneely Bell. 
 


The Wesley Hall Wing, which houses the Wesley Hall School for Early Childhood (formerly Wesley Hall Nursery School), was dedicated in 1952. Extensive renovations to the entry hallway were completed in 1993.
 
This Westfield Leader article provides an  interesting history of the clock and bell. Tours of the clock and bell tower can be arranged by contacting John R. Panosh through the church office. Groups of 15-20 can be accommodated. Children should be at least seven years old and adequate supervision must be provided.
 
Directions
The First United Church of Westfield is located  at 1 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ.  Parking lot access is from Ferris Place, a one-way street one block off Broad Street, accessible from Prospect Street. The map at the right provides a street view of Ferris Place. 

For GPS enter: 130 Ferris Place, Westfield NJ-07090. 

As you enter the parking lot, the church entrance is on the left at the far end of the lot.  The sanctuary and office entrance is the set of doors to the right of the Wesley Hall School for Early Childhood entrance. Please respect the handicapped and reserved parking spaces.  Also, depending on the time of day, there may be many parent-child pedestrians in the area, so please be careful.
 

 

Westfield is a town in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 30,316, reflecting an increase of 672 (+2.3%) from the 29,644 counted in the2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 774 (+2.7%) from the 28,870 counted in the 1990 Census. According to a 2014 nationwide survey, Westfield is considered to be the 30th safest city to live in the United States.

The old village area, now the downtown district, was settled in 1720 as part of the Elizabethtown Tract. Westfield was originally formed as a township on January 27, 1794, from portions of Elizabeth Township, while the area was still part of Essex County, and was incorporated on February 21, 1798, as a one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature. It became part of the newly formed Union County on March 19, 1857. Portions of the township have been taken to form Rahway Township (February 27, 1804), Plainfield Township (April 5, 1847), Cranford Township (March 14, 1871), Fanwood Township (March 6, 1878; now known as Scotch Plains), Mountainside (September 25, 1895) and Hillside (April 3, 1913). The Town of Westfield was incorporated on March 4, 1903, replacing Westfield Township.

Westfield, New Jersey
Town
Town of Westfield
Map of Westfield in Union County. Inset: Location of Union County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Map of Westfield in Union County. Inset: Location of Union County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Westfield, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Westfield, New Jersey
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Union
Formed January 27, 1794
Incorporated February 21, 1798 as township
Reincorporated March 4, 1903 as town
Area
 • Total 6.743 sq mi (17.463 km2)
 • Land 6.719 sq mi (17.401 km2)
 • Water 0.024 sq mi (0.062 km2)  0.36%
Area rank 245th of 566 in state
5th of 21 in county
Elevation 118 ft (36 m)
Population (2010 Census)
 • Total 30,316
 • Estimate (2012 30,639
 • Rank 74th of 566 in state
5th of 21 in county[13]
 • Density 4,512.2/sq mi (1,742.2/km2)
 • Density rank 127th of 566 in state
12th of 21 in county

Downtown

Westfield's downtown features many local and national stores, such as Lord & Taylor and several landmarks that were shown and used in the NBC network television show Ed such as the Rialto Theater. There are over 40 restaurants and casual dining establishments throughout the downtown. Downtown is located mostly north of the Westfield train station. The downtown area has a mix of independent stores and boutiques as well as national stores. Over one-third of the retailers and restaurants have existed for 25 years or more.

Downtown Westfield, with over 200 retail establishments and 400 commercial enterprises, is a regional destination in New Jersey. The Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) manages the Special Improvement District (SID) area's growth and enhancement. The DWC is participates in the National Main Street program associated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It is funded by a SID assessment on downtown properties and operates as the district's management agency. The DWC sponsors marketing efforts and promotions, special event planning, urban design and building improvement projects. The DWC works closely with the town government and volunteer groups to improve the downtown area. In 2004, Westfield won the Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust. In 2010, Westfield was the winner of the America in Bloom contest for communities with a population of 25,001 - 50,000 against the other two towns entered in their category. Shopping and dining in Westfield also attracts citizens from other communities across the State of New Jersey.

Several war memorials (including ones dedicated to the Korean War, World War II, and the Spanish–American War) are located in a plaza near the downtown. The plaza is also home to the September 11 Memorial Park, which pays special tribute to the residents of Westfield who died on September 11, 2001

Public transportation

New Jersey Transit's Raritan Valley Line provides rail service from the Westfield train station to Newark Penn Station in Newark with connecting service to Penn Station New York. Westfield's position and schedule on the Raritan Valley line make it highly desirable for commuters, as several times in the morning and evening rush hours a non-stop service is operated to/from Newark Penn Station. On these non-stop services, the one-way journey time to/from New York Penn Station is 50 minutes, or 20 minutes to/from Newark Penn Station. New Jersey Transit's 113 route provides bus service to New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal seven days per week from the town center, taking approximately one hour to NYC, with additional service available along Route 22 on the northern edge of the town (New Jersey Transit bus routes 114 & 117), taking approximately 45 minutes, and the 59 route provides local bus service between Plainfield and Newark. Olympia Trails also offers weekday bus service to New York City.

Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 20 minutes away, most conveniently reached via Route 22, and Linden Airport, a general aviation facility is in nearby Linden, New Jersey. Newark Liberty International Airport is also easily accessible via New Jersey Transit train.