Christ Woodland UMC formed in 2016 with the merger of two long-standing west Akron congregations, Christ UMC and Woodland UMC. The earliest members of the Woodland Methodist Episcopal congregation began meeting in 1894 and a small chapel was dedicated at the West Hill corner of Woodland and Balch streets in 1895. They moved to a larger building at Balch and Crosby streets in 1897, and in 1964 to new facilities at the merged church’s current location, N. Hawkins Ave. and Thurmont Rd. Founders of Christ Church began meeting Sundays at Rankin School in 1926. The church was formally organized in 1929 and broke ground on its sanctuary and classrooms just south of Schneider Park in 1949. Those facilities were sold in 2016 to a Catholic school for special needs children. Since 2016, the merged congregation has focused on new ways to serve God, our spiritual needs, and our community.