Our History

Jacksonville Methodist Church was organized as a mission in 1832. No reference can be found as to where the church first met, probably in homes of members.  On June 11, 1836, a Quarterly Conference authorized the building of a church for the Methodists.  The Methodist Episcopal Church was begun in 1836 and completed in 1839.  The building was located on the northeast corner of College Street and Pelham Road and served as the Methodist Church until 1887-1888.

In the late 1830s, a Sunday School was organized by Mrs. Amy Francis, wife of the town physician, Dr. James C. Francis.  She was aided by Miss Elizabeth Laird, Mrs. Stipes and Mrs. Woodward.

Various Names of the Church

In 1845 the Jacksonville Methodist Episcopal Church became part of the Alabama Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.  In 1910 Asbury Methodist Church merged with the Jacksonville Methodist Church.  In 1939, with the unification of the three main branches of the Methodist Church, the church became the Methodist Church.  In 1968, the United Brethren merged with the Methodist Church, and the name was changed to The United Methodist Church.  We became the Jacksonville First United Methodist Church.

The Church Building

In 1883, with the support of a generous gift from Lydia A. Weir, the Methodist were able to plan for a new church building.  They bought Lot 9, Old Jacksonville Plan from Mrs. Elizabeth F. Crow for $250.00 on January 14, 1887.  Within a short time, a new Gothic style frame church was built on the corner of Gayle and College streets.  It was a one-story building, lancet windows with stained glass and a cruciform gable roof.  A bell tower was built on the southeast corner and double doors facing east and south were installed.  The interior was accentuated by beautiful woodwork and stained glass windows, one dedicated to the memory of Amy Francis and the other dedicated to the memory of Lydia Weir.  Rev. S. R. Emerson was pastor when the building was erected.

In the mid 1920s, the annex room was added to the right of the main sanctuary, materials being donated by faithful members of the Hay family.  The basement was used for a Sunday School class and the Epworth League.

During the years 1947-1951, the church was remodeled under the leadership of Rev. E. Butterly.  Brick veneer was applied to the exterior and the sanctuary was enlarged. The former old style theater seats were replaced with church pews. Additional furnishings were installed during the pastorate of Rev. Allen Montgomery.

Due to an increase in membership and lack of space, during 1953-1958 the property on the west-side of the church, which held the parsonage, became the site for a new education building. In 1955 the parsonage was torn down and a two-story structure was built. This was done during the pastorate of Rev. Tom Stevenson.  General Contractor and church member Seymour West, Jr. donated his services for the project with donations from the church family providing financing.  In 1973, and then again in 1978, additional property was purchased for future expansion.

During 1984-1985, the church went through elaborate expansion.  The sanctuary and the choir loft were enlarged.  A new two-story building was constructed and connected to the north side of the church and to the north end of the educational building. This was done during the leadership of Rev. Stanley Clark.  In 1993, a fire destroyed most of the education building.  It was reconstructed with a few alterations, to accommodate the children and youth Sunday School classes. Rev. Samuel Jefferson Bayne was pastor.  The McWhorter Activity Center (MAC) was constructed in 1997-1998. The MAC provided a larger fellowship hall, additional Sunday School classrooms, as well as an athletic area for various groups.  This expansion started under the leadership of Rev Michael Stewart and continued under Rev. Will Garrett.

Parsonages

Records indicate the first parsonage was built between 1836 and 1840.  In 1906 a parsonage was built adjoining and to the west of the sanctuary.  In 1938 a brick parsonage was built north of the church on Gayle Avenue.  In 1968, the present parsonage was built on the corner of 7th Avenue and 12th Street.

Researched and prepared by Edwerta Carpenter

Jacksonville First United Methodist Church

Jacksonville, Alabama

Copyright © 2005 Jacksonville First United Methodist Church. All rights reserved.
109 Gayle Avenue SW, P.O. Box 1025, Jacksonville, Alabama, 36265
(256) 435-6021, Fax (256) 435-6262