Greenville University’s Ties To Free Methodism Spans 134 Years

Published: January 30, 2026

Author: Dave Bell

For the past 134 years, Greenville University has shared a bond with the Free Methodist Church that has shaped and guided the school.

Founded by the denomination as Greenville College in 1892, the school has provided a Christian liberal arts education to generations of students from Central Illinois, across the nation, and, in recent years, worldwide. The name was changed to Greenville University in 2017 to better reflect the school’s offerings and structure.

Keli Penngton, Greenville University's Chaplain. Photo by Dave Bell.

“Throughout our history, the Free Methodist Church has shaped the University’s beliefs and priorities,” said Keli Pennington ’16, who has served as the school’s chaplain since the fall of 2022. “The Free Methodist Church’s theology has provided solid underpinnings for GU. For instance, we approach everything from a Wesleyan perspective – considering tradition, reason, experience, and theology. That approach makes for a robust academic institution.”

Wilson T. Hogue, the college’s first president, was a pastor and accomplished scholar. He brought academic clarity, spiritual depth, and administrative skills to bear as he shepherded the new school through its early years.

As a sign of the school's connection to the church, the Free Methodist Church building stood for many years just across College Street from the GC campus. The congregation built a new building on the northeast edge of Greenville in 1996, and the old church building has been part of the campus for the past 30 years.

But just because the congregation now worships a couple of miles away doesn’t mean the church is any less involved on campus.

Rev. Steve Pichaske, Pastor of Greenville Free Methodist Church. Photo by Dave Bell.

“Being in ministry to college-age students is an exciting place to be,” said the Rev. Steve Pichaske, pastor of Greenville Free Methodist Church for the past four years and an adjunct theology instructor at GU. “We love the opportunity to pour into young people’s lives. As they come to college, it’s often the first time they have been on their own. We want to ensure their faith remains central as they begin making far-reaching life decisions. To encourage that growth, the church has invited many GU students to help with the GFMC youth and children’s ministries.”

“At the same time,” Pichaske added, “we want to minister to the faculty, staff, and coaches as they work with students. In this setting, they are important figures in students' lives, and we want to support their work.”

One example of the connection between the local Free Methodist congregation and the University involves food.

“For the past two years, the congregation has provided a meal for students attending ‘The Gathering,’ an event held on Sunday nights,” Pennington said. “The event, currently held in Ladue Auditorium, includes the meal, a speaker, and small-group discussions. It’s a great example of the church ministering to our students.”

On-campus ministry involvement by church members is likely to increase in 2026, as the University rolled out a new initiative in January. As part of that effort, church members will use a University-owned house near campus as a ministry center. The center is envisioned as a place for life-skills training sessions, evening study time, and perhaps counseling services. Additionally, church volunteers are being sought to launch a GU Care Team that would walk alongside students and help them navigate the challenges of college life.

The Wednesday Experience (an all-campus worship service) is another event that introduces students to elements of the Free Methodist tradition.

“Most of our speakers have some Free Methodist connection,” Pennington said. “We frequently have women in ministry roles – something that’s long been a hallmark of the Free Methodist Church. Our intent in those services is not to make Free Methodist converts. Rather, we want our students to encounter Christ and have an opportunity to respond.”

Another Free Methodist touchpoint for students is St. Paul’s Free Methodist Church, located just east of campus at 813 E. College Ave. The church offers weekday prayer services from 7:30 to 8 a.m. and Sunday worship services at 11 a.m.

Greenville University's Provost, Ben Wayman. Photo by Dave Bell.

Ben Wayman, former head of the GU theology department and now the University’s Provost, serves as the senior pastor at St. Paul’s. Three other people with GU connections – Robert Munchaw, Pennington, and Elliott Renfroe – also serve as pastors there. They rotate preaching duties for Sunday services.

“We’re a liturgical church,” Wayman said. “Our services include consistent elements such as confession, prayer, Bible reading, communion, a message, and hymns. We feel that this structure gives us several ways to receive gifts from God.”

Though the two local Free Methodist churches differ in style and structure, they share a common mission: to minister to the Greenville community, including the University. In fact, St. Paul’s was originally launched by the GFMC congregation to minister to the GU community when the larger church moved to the outskirts of town in the mid-1990s. Rev. Rick McPeak served as the founding pastor, assisted in those early days by Brian Hartley, a member of the GU theology faculty.

“Education has always been a major emphasis for the Free Methodist denomination,” Wayman said. “Over the past 30 years, St. Paul’s has served as a training ground for several GU students preparing to enter the ministry. We give them meaningful ways to participate in the life of the church, such as the children’s ministry, music, reading Scripture, and leading prayers. It’s great training for them, and it serves our congregation.”