To all who mourn and need comfort; to all who are tired and need rest; to all who are friendless and want sheltering love; to all who pray, and to all who do not, but ought; to all who sin and need a Saviour, and to whomsoever will; this church opens its doors and in the name of the Lord Jesus says: Welcome From 1923 Bulletin |
The history of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur can be traced almost to the beginnings of the City of Decatur. When the Alabama Territory was founded on March 1, 1817, there were already three hundred families living in this area south of the Tennessee River. In the beginning the settlement was known as Rhodes Ferry. In 1820 the community was renamed for the American Revolutionary War hero Stephen Decatur.
Early efforts of the Methodist church were concentrated around a camp meeting ground near Trinity. Just exactly when Methodism came to Decatur, no one knows: Decatur became a Methodist preaching place on the Franklin or Lawrence Circuit in the early 1820's. The first regular Methodist preaching done in Decatur was done by Alexander Sales and John B. McFerrin in 1827.
The church was officially organized in 1834 and the first building for the Methodists was erected in Decatur in 1835. It was a brick building that, because of a gallery, had the appearance of a two-story structure. The gallery, intended for the accommodation of slaves, extended around both sides and the front. During the Civil War the church was used by Union and Confederate troops as a hospital and camping site. Before the end of the war the building was burned and the Methodists and Presbyterians met together in a log house until another church was built.
In 1868 a new church was built on the lot where the present building stands. This church was completed in a period of six weeks. In 1876 a cupola and vestibule were added. In 1898, this building was placed on rollers and moved across to the east side of Canal Street to make room for the new church.
In 1898, during the pastorate of Dr: J. B. Gregory, the construction of the present building was begun and completed. The plans for the building, submitted by a Mr. Breeding of Chattanooga, called for more than 300,000 pressed bricks. The three large stained glass windows were made by Mr. A. G. Bethard of New Decatur and the glass furnished by the Atlanta Glass and Art Co. The pews were made in Jackson, Tennessee by the Southern Seating and Cabinet Company. The finial and the finishing of the tower was done by the Decatur Cornice & Roofing Company. The sanctuary has a seating capacity of about 350. The new building was dedicated on April 2, 1899.
After first planning for it in 1924, in 1927 the Rev. R. T. Tyler and the congregation approved a plan to build a three-story Sunday school annex on the west side of the sanctuary. In 1955, Rev. Minar L. Triplett announced plans for another addition. The church had outgrown its present building and plans for the new addition included a large fellowship hall, modern kitchen, nursery rooms, additional classrooms plus modernizing part of the present departments and rooms.
In 1990, the Rev. J. Charles Boling announced a three-story building and renovation project for the church. The project included new classrooms and offices and an elevator that would make the new area handicapped accessible. The ceremonial ribbon cutting occurred on March 29, 1991.
In 1998 a renovation was completed that included new parking areas, sidewalks, landscaping, and remodeling of some Sunday school classrooms.
The church buildings have taken many shapes over the last century, but one thing has remained constant. For 100 years First United Methodist has welcomed worshippers to experience together the Glory of God. We invite you to join us as we seek to continue a strong history of Growing in Christ and Sharing God's Love.
