Centennial Watch

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Centennial Arrives

Acts 20:28 “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

Methodists began meeting about four years after the founding of Irving, congregating in the schoolhouse. They were led variously by laymen and a local retired minister, Brother T.L. Combo. After a revival in August 1908 led by Rev. M.H. Read of Grand Prairie a dozen or so charter members organized the Methodist Episcopal Church. A.J. Clark donated a lot at the northeast corner of Third and Ohio Streets in September 1909, and the congregation first met in the nearly finished sanctuary in November, 1909.

The membership outgrew the small church in 1937. Under the leadership of Rev. Thomas Sterck, they replaced the frame building with a sandstone structure. The new building served as the sanctuary for 65 years. With a 1952 expansion under Rev. J.W. Lindsey the church acquired adjoining land and built additional facilities including offices, Sunday school rooms, a fellowship hall, and a Family Life Center. The denomination became the Methodist Church in 1939 and United Methodist Church in 1968.

In 2002, the congregation and Rev. Rusty Hedges consecrated a new sanctuary to the north of the existing facilities. The 1937 building is now the chapel.

Now in 2008 we eagerly accept the blessings of the Lord as He bestows forgiveness and new hope to First United Methodist Church, individually and corporately, in this the year of Celebration and Jubilee. Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!

Please keep watch throughout the year and pray without ceasing for our church, for our church leaders, for wisdom, guidance and trueness to God's Will for all church policy makers as they make decisions affecting the church, for the congregation that they become one body in Christ and for our community, that the Lord would use us as an instrument to deliver the good news to those who have not been saved.

Contact Yvonne Mullen of the Prayer Committee to help with this vital ministry.