CHURCH HISTORY

September 29, 1852, is the first record we have of First Methodist Church being mentioned in the minutes of the Holston Annual Conference. At that time, First Methodist was on a four point circuit combined with Mossy Creek, Liberty Hill and Rogersville. During the time of the Civil War, the Union and Confederate armies were both in Morristown. Morgan and Gillam were at each other’s throats, running up and down the hills and valleys around here. The Federal Calvary finally decided to use the First Methodist Church property to set up camp. They tore down the partially constructed front of the church to get the bricks to build fireplaces on which to cook. They also stabled their horses in the sanctuary, where the horses nibbled and ate on the window sills, which eventually had to be replaced.

In 1902, we came to the building of the church on the property here. In the first building they included Sunday School rooms, office space and the sanctuary. At that time the sanctuary was circular, the choir being on the right hand side of the pulpit in what is now affectionately called the “penalty box.”

During the year 1950, the sanctuary was renovated and the chancel was moved from the corner of the room and elevated to its present position under the beautiful “Ascension Window.” At this time the educational addition was built which consisted of many classrooms, a ladies’ parlor, and small assembly rooms. The back part of the older unit was rearranged to include a spacious fellowship hall and a complete kitchen.

A significant achievement of the church during the years 1956-1960 was the raising of funds for the purchase of property north of the church, including the old A & P building and a service station at Hill Street and First North.

June, 1961 found that there was already a feeling of the need for a church in Arnold Hills, a promising, developing residential area. With encouragement, the people responded and purchased a house on Wilder Street to serve as a parsonage and church. The new church, named Trinity, was officially organized with thirty-four members of First Church transferred to form a nucleus congregation with a membership of forty-nine on Charter Sunday.

During 1966-1971, the entire block on which the church is situated became the property of the church. The church purchased and razed the house on the corner of East Second North and Hill Streets, where today there is a beautiful, well-equipped playground for children. In 1968 the service station at Hill and First North, obtained by the church ten years previously, was razed.

In 1974 FUMC launched the boldest venture in its history. With the congregation outgrowing the usefulness of its building, a long, hard look was taken at plans for the future. These plans involved both present and long-range building plans. As a result of these plans, a building program was undertaken resulting in the present Christian Life Center and office complex, completed in 1983.

Construction of Phase II began in the early spring of 1993. The second phase included the installation of an elevator; the construction of eight new classrooms, including a large nursery and library; and the renovation of the old Education Building and sanctuary. The biggest and most visible addition to the church’s sanctuary was the tracker pipe organ. The estimated cost of “Building for Tomorrow” was $2.6 million, being completely funded by the church through pledges, memorials and fundraising campaigns.