1873 - Two Methodist evangelists held street meetings; were driven out of town.

1878 - Rev. George W. Barnett appointed as first resident pastor.

1879 - First Methodist Episcopal Church of Bismarck incorporated in Yankton, Dakota Territory.

1879-82 - Rev. James W. Bull conducted services on the 2nd floor of firehall, at a site on 4th St., and in saloons. He collected funds in Dak,. Minn., & Wis. to purchase lots at 5th & Thayer and erect the first church & parsonage.

1881 - March: The Ladies Aid was organized in the home of Mrs. John P. Dunn.

1883 - Tradition is that the bell, given by Mrs. Emmons, came from "The Red Cloud" steamboat wrecked near Bismarck.

1899 - Feb. 19 the church building was dedicated debt free by Bishop Joyce.

1904 - Rev. Louis Megan, Boston U. grad, was appointed. Crowds grew until children had to sit on the windowsills.

1906 - Aug. 20, women of the congregation broke ground for a new building.

1908 - Old parsonage sold & removed; church moved to north side of lots. June 17, Bishop David H. Moore laid the cornerstone, granite from Aberdeen, Scotland.

1909 - April 4, last service in old frame building which was sold, moved to 5th & Front; used as warehouse until 1945. Easter, April 11, second building dedicated free of debt on the basis of signed notes. Sunday School area unfinished. Total cost $30,000. Church renamed "McCabe" in honor of Bishop Charles C. McCabe,recently deceased.

1910-13 - Expenses were running $60 per week on income of $30. Rev. A. Lincoln Shute & Mr. George M. Register led i n formation of Tithers Band to re- solve the problem. A revival followed. New parsonage purchased in 1911. 1916 - Sunday School area of church com- pleted at $4,500; gifts stimulated by $1,500 gift from Mile Mack, friendly neighbor but not a member.

1922 - Mrs. Caroline Donnelly Taylor's gift of $5,000 for pipe organ announced on Dec. 24. Organ first used June 17, 1923.

1941 - Rev. Walter E. Vater completed 17 years as pastor, longest in McCabe's history. The church had ministered to many needy people during the depression years. Vater had received over 1,300 members & membership had grown from 361 to 883.

1949 - Rev. Paul Hayes completed 8 years of effective service & Rev. Francis V. Tannehill arrived to shepherd a major building program during his 11 years.

1954 - New parsonage built. Cost with lot and furnishings, $40,000.

1959 - Present McCabe building first used on April 5. Consecration conducted by Bishop Edwin Voigt, Sept. 20.

1968 - A new organ was used first on Palm Sunday.

1973 - Dec. 2 the building was dedicated debt free. Bishop James Armstrong preached; Bishop Edwin Voigt participated. 1966-79 - During the pastorate of Rev. Dave Knecht, associates were Revs. David Sahr, Roger Jesperson, Phil Lint, and Eve Hook. Earl Grunstead and FrancisTannehill were retired assistants.

Late 70's- The east and west stained glass windows were installed as memorials.

Pastors who have served since 1979 Centennial:
Rev. Francis Tannehill 1978-85
Rev. Robert Paul 1979-85
Rev. Donald Andrews 1979-86 (assoc.)
Rev. Russell Dilley 1985-86
Rev. Arthur Scanson 1986-90 (assoc.)
Rev. Roger Russell 1986-91
Rev. Peggy Zerface 1990-95 (assoc.)
Rev. Peary Wilson 1992-98
Rev. Jeanine O'Neal 1995-97 (assoc.)
Rev. Richard Fossum 1997-05 (assoc.)
Rev. Arthur Scanson 1998-
Rev. Dwight Myer 2005-2006 (assoc.)
Rev. Gary Walters 2006-

As of Jan. 1, 1997, McCabe is the largest United Methodist congregation in North Dakota with 1004 members. McCabe has been very influential in the building and re-opening of Open Door Community Center, following flood damage to the old building.