First United Methodist Church - History.

For almost 20 years, a ‘faithful band of workers’ longed to form a new congregation of the Methodist Episcopal Church (the northern branch of American Methodism). In 1907 the Rev. Smith Whittenburg’s preaching as a revival in the old Fairmount Tabernacle inspired and energized them. As a result, the Rev. David G. Pyle, then a District Superintendent in the M.E. church, came to organize a church in Bristol.

In 1909 the 32 members of the congregation gathered at the King Printing Company on Shelby Street. Soon they moved up the street to the YMCA auditorium. With 120 members, these energetic Methodists built an imposing brick structure at Seventh and Anderson Streets in 1911. On January 21, 1912, First Methodist Episcopal Church was packed for its dedication, a gala social and religious event for the city. The offering received at the morning service and an afternoon service totaled $12,170 toward the $14,000 cost of the building!

Dedicated pastors and laypeople continued to attract people, so more space was needed.  In 1919 the Young Men’s Bible Class (Mrs. Mary Huff, teacher) excavated the basement, but still there was a need for more classrooms, office space, and perhaps a library and a larger social hall. By 1925 the 337 resident members were talking about a new, bigger church. The great depression and World War II delayed action on moving. By the end of the war, church membership was 437 and parking was an impossible dilemma.

In 1954 a lot was purchased between Vance Drive and Sparger Road in Holston Hills. That November, the church launched a challenging building fund campaign building. On June 30,1957, the congregation moved into its lovely new hilltop location. The brick and glass walled structure with spacious classrooms and a roomy fellowship hall was officially opened by a very large, enthusiastic crowd. Paying for the spacious facilities was a challenge. On March 18,1973, members gleefully celebrated ‘out-of-debt Sunday’ by burning of the notes.

For many years the Fellowship Hass was used as the sanctuary. Great sermons were preached, and scores of people found their way to the simple, white altar to give their hearts to God. Still, the congregation yearned for a real sanctuary in which to worship, and the Fellowship Hall was sorely needed for social gatherings.

Plans were made to turn the old Boy Scout room into lovely Carroll Skeen Memorial Chapel. In April of 1975, an excited congregation broke ground for the long-awaited sanctuary. The consecration of the beautiful sanctuary and chapel in May of 1976 was a very joyful occasion. The Dyer pipe organ, dedicated in October of 1992, undergirds the congregation’s worship with beautiful music.

The congregation has a vital Christian witness. Participating in outreach ministries, such as, Habitat for Humanity, mission trips to Haiti and other places. Love Meals, Meals on Wheels, and buying school supplies for students at Anderson Elementary School, participating in Raceway Ministries-has been a hallmark of the church. In 2005, when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita brought devastation to the Gulf Coast, not only generous donations of money, health kits, and flood buckets were sent, but an entire truckload of bottled water.

First Church’s Name – Originally, the name was First Methodist Episcopal Church. When three branches of Methodists united as the Methodist Church in 1939, we became First Methodist Church. When the Evangelical United Brethren and Methodist Church united in 1968, our name changed to First United Methodist Church.