Taken from: guamumc.net (
visit link)
Fall, 1970 - Marilyn Bunyan and Marcia Hartsock, met in a bowling alley in Guam and started talking.
They were both Methodists and felt there were probably other Methodists on Guam.
Their conversation led to the decision they wanted to start a Methodist church.
They followed up on their idea and made contacts with other Methodists.
The 'unofficial' Methodist church on Guam was born.
11 April, 1971 - Nine families met at Marilyn Bunyan's home to worship. Most of the Methodists were
contract teachers. Nelie Dizon, a current church member and her husband, now deceased
were charter members of the church. Those early members met in each other's homes.
Services were held just before lunch (around 11 AM) with lay speakers giving the sermon
and the meeting ended with fellowship. One member who was also a teacher volunteered to be the pastor even though he had no
formal training.
Nelie and XX Dizon
Mr. and Mrs. Dizon were charter members of the church.
Mr. Dizon was a professor at the University of Guam. He sent pamphlets to friends and
relatives on the mainland. They raised approximately $10,000 to add to the building
fund. John and Karen Carpenter
Aug, 1971 John and Karen Carpenter came to Guam as teachers.Karen made the observation that
those who came were independent people who worked together; there was a sense of
community. Karen is Choir Director, and John is a member of the choir. Both are active
members of the church in other capacities, also.
The current church was built on land purchased by the Hawaiian Association with funds acquired through the sale of their previous church which is now the Salvation Army thrift store.