Araby United Methodist Church has a rich history spanning over 125 years. On July 26, 1887 Col. C. Keeper and Evelind V. Thomas donated land at the intersection of Buckeystown Road and Old Georgetown Pike to be used for the construction of Araby Union Church. The church was built with seating consisting of two rows of pews with two aisles and three rows of pews on either side of the pulpit. Gas lamps placed by the side of the window's provided lighting and heat was furnished using coal or wood in a pot belly stove. The church was blessed with a pump organ.

In 1930 an enclosed entrance was added to the front of the Chapel. Until 1931 Worship Services were held bi-weekly. At that time Araby was part of a five church charge. In 1932 lumber from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station at Tuscarora was transported in horse drawn wagons by local farmers to build a reception hall. The addition was put on the southeast rear of the building. Upon completion dinners were served to the public for twenty-five cents. In 1935 the present stained glass memorial windows were installed and dedicated.

On April 6, 1945 a request for a name change to Arab Methodist Church was approved through a certificate of Amendment. In 1945 a furnace was installed and in 1946 shingles were added. Sunday School rooms were built in 1962-63. In 1968-69 the Sanctuary was remodeled and the entire church façade was bricked in 1970. In 1972 the church had three major improvements; the last addition was built onto the church, the kitchen was remodeled and the choir donated an electric organ.

A fund raiser in 1972 whereby individual keys of the piano were purchased individually raised enough money for a much needed piano. The church boy a parsonage located at 4619 Arab Church Road. It was consecrated on June 12, 1977. The same year the church was recorded with the Maryland Historic Sites. In 1990 the existing bell tower and bell were installed. The same year Central air conditioning finally arrived.

The Trustees continue faithfully to make improvements including a paved parking lot, renovated parsonage, memorial garden adjacent the church, installation of the Araby "Garden of Hope"- providing fresh vegetables to nearby food pantry and in-house food pantry. The upstairs of the church currently houses the children's clothing ministry The Purple Goose (please put in link) open weekly. A food pantry is located on the main level of church adjacent the kitchen.