Tallassee in Elmore County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The First United Methodist Church of Tallassee

Founded 1853

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 15, 2020

1. The First United Methodist Church of Tallassee Marker (front)

Inscription.
The history of this church encompasses the span of worldwide Methodism from the time of John Wesley to the present. A Methodist Society was organized in Tallassee in 1853 by 15 charter members who gathered in the "White Store," a mill company store located on Barnett Boulevard. The first church building was erected at the northwest end of King Street in 1854. Built by Archibald Patterson, it seated 450 and had a balcony for black members. The first minister was Harris Stearns. Another early preacher at this church was Anson West, author of Methodism in Alabama, who was followed by a long line of distinguished, scholarly pastors. The earliest reported marriage was that of W. A. Atkins to Matilda Jane Wilson on May 2, 1866. In 1898, an Upjohn-style church was built on King Street. Bishop Asa Candler dedicated this building, which was later used by Tallassee schools and burned in 1940. On June 26, 1926, members voted to construct the congregation's current brick church at 1 Jordan Avenue, and Opening Day, February 29, 1929, was presided over by Bishop Hoyt M. Dobbs.

The first funeral held in this church was that of Kate

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Burton Herren on January 14, 1929. The first wedding was that of W. Silas Mulder and Sarah Sasser. The church then was under the leadership of Exhorter, L.M. Lackey and Lay Leader, Merton Robinson. In 1936, Bishop John Lloyd Decell presided over the burning of the church mortgage. Rev. James E. Tate organized the 1953 Centennial Homecoming. The two-story Annex was built under the pastorate of Rev. Joe Ed Hastings, whose father, F.G. Hastings, had guided the construction of this church. The church bell is inscribed “Jones and Company, Troy, New York, 1855." What began as the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, is now the First United Methodist Church of Tallassee. From 2004-2005, this church underwent a restoration under Shook Whorton of Montgomery, AL. In 2004, the Heritage Committee of the Alabama-West Florida Conference awarded the FUMC of Tallassee the Church Heritage Award. It was listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in 2003.

This information compiled by Olivia Pienezza Solomon
author of Our Bethel, a History of this Church

Erected by Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical

The First United Methodist Church of Tallassee Marker (rear) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 15, 2020

2. The First United Methodist Church of Tallassee Marker (rear)

marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 14, 1929.

Location. 32° 32.175′ N, 85° 53.909′ W. Marker is in Tallassee, Alabama, in Elmore County. It is on Jordan Avenue near Barnett Boulevard (Alabama Route 14), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Jordan Ave, Tallassee AL 36078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Alabama’s Tri-Counties River Region.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture,

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: Brigadier General Birkett Davenport Fry, CSA / Tallassee Confederate Officers Quarters

The First United Methodist Church of Tallassee & Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 15, 2020

3. The First United Methodist Church of Tallassee & Marker

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Gen. Robert E. Lee (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jefferson F. Davis (approx. 0.4 miles away); Robert E. Lee (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gen. Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (approx. 0.4 miles away); Thomas Jonathan Jackson (approx. 0.4 miles away); Nathan Bedford Forrest (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tallassee.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 652 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.