Welcome to Normandy United Methodist Church. The church building was originally the private home of Richard H. Grant, one of Dayton's outstanding citizens and businessmen. For several years the Grants enjoyed weekends in a cabin on property along Holes Creek. When they decided to build a permanent home in the area they purchased six adjoining farms, totaling 780 acres. The house was constructed in 1927-30, at a cost of nearly one million dollars.
The Grants chose Medieval English Manor style for their new home. Mr. Grant's energy and constant demand for quality, which brought him success in the business world, was directed toward the construction of his home. The two-story tower and staircase with the massive chandelier add historical elegance to the three-story building with its thirty-eight rooms consisting of a main section and two wings. The eight-inch thick concrete floors and eighteen-inch outer walls topped by six inches on the roof gives the house great stability. It was literally built to last for ages. A slate roof and leaden drainpipes also show great attention to durability and quality. The eleven sculptured marble fireplaces, the massive entrance gates, many of the doors, and the stained glass window plaques were purchased in Europe. The beautifully hand carved old wood paneling in the main hall and library was imported from England and dates back to 1603. Other beautiful furnishings, many period chairs, paintings, painted tapestries, andirons and tables can be seen throughout the building.
The Grant living room now serves as Normandy's Chapel. The sleeping quarters on the second floor now serve as a church school area and offices for the pastor and staff. The lower ground floor opens out to the side yard and contains a recreation room, a billiard room, a squash court, and a large furnace room.
In July 1955, Normandy Farms house became Normandy Evangelical United Brethren Church when the Ohio Miami Conference of the Evangelical United Brethren Church purchased it. The price of the building plus a seven-room gatehouse, a swimming pool, and approximately 15 acres, was $125,000.
In 1957 Mr. Grant's funeral took place in the chapel.
On June 2, 1963, Bishop Paul Herrick and Dr. William K. Messmer dedicated the new multi purpose building including meeting space, a new kitchen and classrooms with the idea of this becoming a Fellowship Hall in the future. The upper level served as the sanctuary from 1963 through 1996.
In April 1968, the merger of the Methodist Church with the Evangelical United Brethren Church took place. At that time the name was changed to Normandy United Methodist Church.
In 1984, the Normandy Farms house was placed on The National Register of Historic Buildings.
On February 15, 1996, with new spirituality and enthusiasm, the Normandy Church Conference convened and the congregation voted to build a more adequate sanctuary and to renovate the old multi purpose building into a fellowship hall.
On March 24, 1996, ground breaking ceremonies for the new sanctuary took place. On January 12, 1997, West Ohio Resident Bishop Judith Craig consecrated the new sanctuary.
The church's particular physical setting makes us feel that God's house is a real home. Because of its unique character there is family warmth not felt in a more traditional structure. Many who come out of curiosity "to look" have felt the warmth of a friendly fellowship and have returned to worship with us. Through the action of preserving a heritage, we also strengthen a fellowship of faith.