A Humble Beginning (1966-80): Valley United Methodist Church

In the mid-60’s, a group of people from San Ramon Valley UMC in Alamo began looking for a place for worship easily accessible to them. Those half-dozen families, mostly from the Mid-West and living in Dublin, Pleasanton, and San Ramon areas had their first Sunday worship at the Dublin Elementary School with Rev. Wendell B. Kramer. 

The congregation later moved to Camp Parks in which they experienced growth and challenges including, among many, major water leaks from the roof during services.

Settling Down in San Ramon (1981-2014): From Valley UMC to Grace United Methodist Church.

After a new church was founded in Pleasanton, which has now become Lynnewood UMC, those eager to establish a church in Dublin and San Ramon area continued their efforts to search for a new home. They acquired the present site at 19901 San Ramon Valley Boulevard from the Cal-Nevada Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, which purchased the property from the Boone family (Forest Home Farms Historic Park). This congregation, Valley UMC, had a groundbreaking ceremony and built the present sanctuary in 1981.

In 1989 the congregation decided to change its name from Valley UMC to Grace UMC of San Ramon.

Challenge and Response (2014-Present): Serving Christ and the Community.

The Tri-Valley area has experienced rapid demographic changes and the population booms that are increasingly diverse, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural. In the midst of all, Grace United Methodist Church continues to be a haven where everyone is welcome, cared for, and finds a new family in Christ.

A Brief History of Grace UMC

1966. Valley UMC founded.
1981. The present site acquired.
1987. Joyful Noise Preschool started.
1989. Valley UMC became Grace UMC.