CHURCH HISTORY

Founded: 1852

Tradition has it that the first Methodist sermon ever delivered in Athens was to a “congregation” gathered under an historic old oak tree near the Courthouse Square in 1852.  The Reverend Hezekiah Mitcham also delivered sermons in the dining room of a hotel, in homes of members, and in the Baptist and Presbyterian churches. The Reverend U.B. Phillips was pastor in 1884 when a frame structure was erected on West Tyler Street at a cost of about $2,000.

1901 - Methodism was growing in athens

​Methodism was growing in Athens, so in 1901 the Ladies Aid Society purchased a lot on the southeast corner of the square for $600.  By 1903 the church members agreed to build a stone and brick sanctuary at a cost of about $6,000.  The church was ready for use in 1904 and the final cost was $13,500.

Southeast corner of the Athens square where present day Taco Bell stands

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Modern Age of the Methodist Church

On March 6, 1960, a church conference voted to relocate and our present sanctuary, fellowship hall, and education building were dedicated on October 18, 1964.  In 1986 the Miller Children’s Building was added.  A multipurpose activities building was completed August 8, 2003. This facility has a full size gymnasium, commercial kitchen, youth recreation room and four classrooms. In 2017 the little used Fellowship Hall was converted into a Modern Worship Center featuring state of the art Audio, Video, and Lighting systems. In December of 2019 a new gathering space with coffee bar was constructed along with new Choir and Bridal Suite, Reception area, and Staff Office Wing.