With a congregation of 2,300 people, it is the largest United Methodist church in the Rochester area.

[1] Asbury First presents an annual concert series featuring regional musicians and national touring groups.

The church also supports a Grocery Bag Ministry, Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network, School 41 tutoring and outreach, and projects in India, Nicaragua, and Kenya.

Located in the East Avenue Historic District,[2] the church property features several historic buildings, including the 1953 Gothic Sanctuary, and 1050 East Ave., also called the Wilson Soule House, a stone edifice that is one of Rochester's finest examples of Richardsonian Romanesque style.

[3] Note: Church Street in Rochester, which runs between State Street and Sophia St. (now known as Exchange Street) was erected in 1883,[4] and ran in between First Methodist on the northwest corner and First Baptist on the southwest corner, with the US Post Office and Federal Building (now Rochester City Hall) on the northeast corner;[5] Construction of the new building started in 1855 and was completed by 1861.

In 1844 the church was located at the southeast corner of East Main Street and South Clinton Avenue.

[13] Both First and Asbury survived hard depressions in the 1840s and 1850s to remain strong influences in the city.

[1] A new Asbury Methodist Church was erected at East Avenue and Anson Park in 1885.

[17] The construction and style owes much to the dedication of Dr. Weldon Crossland, minister for 28 years.

Eastman had a darkroom constructed in the basement (now the Asbury First Storehouse) and made other changes to the interior.

1010 East Avenue was built in 1907 in a Tudor style, and now houses the Dining and Caring Center and church meeting rooms.