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Directions to the Medford First United Methodist Church
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History of the Methodist Church in Medford
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| The Medford
First United Methodist Church is the product of two major
national mergers. The first was the consolidation in 1939 of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church
South, healing a split caused by conflict over the slavery
question preceding the Civil War. The second was the union in
1968 of the Methodist and United Evangelical Brethren
denominations. |
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Methodism came formally to Medford on
Nov. 15, 1885, when 18 people met to organize a Methodist
Episcopal Church under the leadership of Rev. W.G. Simpson. The
congregation met in several different locations until 1889 when
they built their first building on the southeast corner of
Bartlett and Fourth streets at a cost of about $4,000. The
bell, now in the present church, was purchased for $100 in 1892
when the Centenary ME Church in Portland was razed. Cast in
Philadelphia in 1866, the bell was transported by ship around
Cape Horn. |
| Rev. H.S. Shangle organized a
congregation of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in Medford
in 1892. Their first permanent building, located on the corner
of West Main and Oakdale Streets, was constructed in 1893. The
building was remodeled, enlarged and faced with brick in 1920. |
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Portland Area Bishop Matthew Simpson
Hughes' visit in 1919 began the movement which culminated in
construction of the present church building and its designation
as a memorial to him. Five of the stained glass windows in the
sanctuary were a part of the original design. The building was
consecrated in 1924 by Rev. Randolph Sasnett. |
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When members could not meet the
mortgage payments during the depression years, the building went
to the Mercantile Trust Company of St. Louis in a sheriff's
foreclosure sale, after which Church trustees obtained a lease
for $50 a month. In 1933, pastor Rev. Joseph Knotts began a
move to redeem the church by encouraging Sunday School children
to buy certificates for $1 each. After the children had pledged
$200, Knotts went to the adults for cash payments who, inspired
by the children, responded with enough money to enable
redemption of ownership in September 1934. |
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When the two Methodist Congregations
merged in 1939, both church buildings continued to be utilized.
The former Methodist Episcopal South building was designated
"Wesley Chapel" and used mostly for children's and youth
activities. The Methodist Episcopal building became the primary
meeting place for the newly combined congregations. With major
additions in 1945 and 1952, the original building continues to
serve our congregation today. |
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As we marvel at the achievements of those who founded and built
this Church, it is the challenge of all those who are a part of
this congregation today to carry on this rich heritage of
proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our community. |
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Compiled from the Church Archives |
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