Franconia United Methodist Church began in the late 1800’s as Union Church on Beulah Street, where services were held for Methodists and Baptists in the farming community of Franconia.

When Union Church was destroyed by fire, land was donated on Beulah Road, and in September 1896, Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church was founded. (Today, the congregation of Mt. Calvary Community Church worships in this building.) Bethel’s first minister was a circuit rider who also served parishes located in Lincolnia and Accotink. Annandale, Sydenstricker, Ilsa, Dunn Loring and Merrifield were added to make this a stronger Circuit.

In 1944, the new site on Franconia Road was purchased, and the Franconia-Lincolnia Charge became self-supporting. The corner stone was laid in March 1950, and the name was changed from Bethel to the Franconia Methodist Church.

Both the building and the community continued to grow. The members voted in 1952 to build a sanctuary above the basement building, to build a parsonage, and to have a full-time minister. The Wesley Building, now occupied by Koinonia, was added in 1957. The three level Cokesbury Building was built in 1960 to provide room for classes, a kitchen and a larger social hall. In 1966 the east and west wings were added to allow more seating during worship and more classroom space.