Dallas Downtown Historic District in Dallas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First United Methodist Church of Dallas
Photographed by QuesterMark, February 23, 2019
1. First United Methodist Church of Dallas Texas Historical Marker
Inscription.
First United Methodist Church of Dallas. . Methodism in Dallas traces its roots to as early as 1846, when the small village was a stopping point for Methodist circuit riders. The first organized group of Methodists met in November 1850, and continued for almost 20 years without a building of their own. Land was donated and funds raised, but construction was delayed by the Civil War, after which the money had been lost. Through the determination of church members, the Lamar Street Methodist Church was nevertheless dedicated in November 1868. The structure burned in 1879, and the congregation used the facilities at nearby Temple Emanuel until a new building was completed in 1889 and dedicated in 1894; the name was changed to First Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
In 1916, the First Methodist and Trinity Methodist churches, both about one thousand members strong, were united. Money from the sale of the Trinity Methodist Church site went toward the construction of Highland Park Methodist Church. A new building was dedicated for the enlarged First Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1926. By 1927, the membership was 3,440, and the congregation continued to grow. During the church's 1946 centennial celebration, five bishops who had been pastors at the church returned to dedicate the 1926 building.
During denomination-wide changes, First Methodist Episcopal Church, South, became First Methodist Church in 1939 and First United Methodist Church in 1968. It has long been instrumental in the formation of Methodist churches throughout North Texas and beyond. The First United Methodist Church of Dallas remains active in mission work, service and worship, observing the traditions of its founders.
Methodism in Dallas traces its roots to as early as 1846, when the small village was a stopping point for Methodist circuit riders. The first organized group of Methodists met in November 1850, and continued for almost 20 years without a building of their own. Land was donated and funds raised, but construction was delayed by the Civil War, after which the money had been lost. Through the determination of church members, the Lamar Street Methodist Church was nevertheless dedicated in November 1868. The structure burned in 1879, and the congregation used the facilities at nearby Temple Emanuel until a new building was completed in 1889 and dedicated in 1894; the name was changed to First Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
In 1916, the First Methodist and Trinity Methodist churches, both about one thousand members strong, were united. Money from the sale of the Trinity Methodist Church site went toward the construction of Highland Park Methodist Church. A new building was dedicated for the enlarged First Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1926. By 1927, the membership was 3,440, and the congregation continued to grow. During the church's 1946 centennial celebration, five bishops who had been pastors at the church returned to dedicate the 1926 building.
During denomination-wide changes, First Methodist Episcopal Church, South, became First Methodist Church in 1939 and First United Methodist Church in 1968. It has long been instrumental in the formation of Methodist churches throughout North Texas and beyond. The First United Methodist Church of Dallas remains active in mission work, service and worship, observing the traditions of its founders.
Erected 2000
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by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11824.)
Location. 32° 47.206′ N, 96° 47.963′ W. Marker is in Dallas, Texas, in Dallas County. It is in the Dallas Downtown Historic District. It is at the intersection of Ross Avenue and N Harwood Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Ross Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1928 Ross Avenue, Dallas TX 75201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A. H. Belo House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Dallas Symphony
Photographed by QuesterMark, February 23, 2019
2. First United Methodist Church of Dallas with Marker
Marker is visible in the center of the lower part of this photo.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2019, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,075 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2019, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
