Historic First Church

First United Methodist Church was founded in 1826.

Soon after the Chickasaw Purchase in October 1818, the Tennessee Methodist Annual Conference appointed two missionaries, Hezekiah Holland and Lewis Garrett, to come to “The Jackson Purchase” to scope out the area. They set to work, and one year later, Rev. Holland and Mr. Garrett reported “146 white and 13 colored” Methodists living in the district.

In 1826, just three years after the fledgling town of Jackson was incorporated, a Methodist Church was organized under the leadership of Reverend Thomas Neely. This organization took place in a log Court House on the northeast corner of Court Square. For several years, services were held in private homes. The first house of worship was built in 1831 on the southeast corner of Church and Chester Streets, just across from the present location. By 1833, there were 55 members.

By 1851, church growth inspired the trustees to sell the church property to the “Jackson Sons of Temperance” for $1,900 and to purchase the south half of block number 50 across the street for $250, where a two-story brick sanctuary was erected. That church was remodeled in 1886. The attractive building with double towers and stone entrance was considered one of the most beautiful churches of the South; it burned in 1912. The present Greek Revival sanctuary was built in 1914.

Always keeping an eye to the future, FUMC has sought to renovate and expand as the needs of the congregation and community have evolved. An education wing was added in 1948-49, under the guidance of pastor W.C. Newman. In 1979, the Henton/Waller Activity Center was completed. Clayton Hall, a modern fellowship center, as built in 2001 followed by the construction of a new Education/Administration building in place of the old education wing in 2002. With such wonderful facilities, First Church is able to offer hospitality to member and stranger alike in spacious, modern surroundings.

During its history, First Church has had three names. It was originally called First Methodist Church. With the pre-Civil war split that occurred in the national church in 1845, this congregation was known as First Methodist Episcopal Church, South. This long name was usually abbreviated to read First M.E. Church, South. This name remains on the facade of the sanctuary that was built in 1914, which faces Church Street. In 1939, the M.E. Church, the M.E. Church, South, and the Methodist Protestant Church united to form the Methodist Church. This congregation was once again known as First Methodist Church. In 1968, with the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren, this congregation became First United Methodist Church.

An open church in which all are welcomed and invited to become family, First United Methodist Church in Jackson is a vibrant, growing congregation with a strong commitment to its neighborhood, the downtown area and to the entire Jackson community.