Our Mission

Braden River is a Christian United Methodist Church in Bradenton, Florida. Our mission is to connect people with God and with one another, while helping each person to use the gifts that God has given them to serve others in love. We seek to demonstrate God’s love in each moment. Through works of community missions and opening our doors to listen and love, we feel that we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

Our History

Braden River United Methodist Church was founded on June 10, 1990.

​Planning for the new Methodist Church in East Bradenton began in the Spring of 1988 with a core group of six couples. The first service was held at Bashaw Elementary School on Sept. 11, 1988, with 172 in attendance. Sunday School was first held on Sept. 25, 1988, with six classes from nursery through adult. The church became Braden River UMC on Nov. 13, 1988. Charter Sunday was April 2, 1989, with 129 attending.

Ground breaking for Braden River UMC was June 10, 1990, and the first service in the building was on March 31, 1991 (Easter Sunday), and the building was dedicated on April 21, 1991. Ground breaking for phase II—the Education Wing—was on Aug. 27, 1995. The Education Wing was dedicated on March 10, 1996.

The Heaven Cent Thrift Shop was opened on May 15, 1998, and is currently in its 17th year of operation. The Lighthouse Kids Preschool opened its doors on Aug. 10, 2003. The church had a mortgage burning ceremony on April 24, 2006. In the Spring and Summer of 2008, Braden River UMC and other local churches participated in building homes with Habitat for Humanity.

April of 2009 saw the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Braden River UMC by inviting past members, friends and pastors to a pot-luck luncheon. Also included was a fashion show by the thrift shop and dedication of an area of the property for development of a Memorial Garden. Music was provided by God's Grace Band and the Teen Praise Band.

April 2, 2015, marked our 25th anniversary! Braden River UMC has been helping to connect people with God and with one another for a quarter of a century. God has led us each step of the way and will continue to lead us forward into the next 25 years.

We are extremely excited about what God is doing in our midst and invite you to come check it out for yourself.

We worship each Sun. at 10am. Bible Study is each Wed. at 7pm.

To God be the glory, great things He has done!