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 First United Methodist Church of Tallassee. Founded 1853. 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. ,
(Continued on other side).
(Continued from other side). , The first funeral held in this church was that of Kate 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.
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.
(Continued on other side)
(Continued from other side)
The first funeral held in this church was that of Kate Burton Herren on January 14, 1929. The first wedding was that of W. Silas Mulder
and Sarah Sasser. The
Click or scan to see this page online
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 marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. 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′
Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 15, 2020
2. The First United Methodist Church of Tallassee Marker (rear)
W. Marker is in Tallassee, Alabama, in Elmore County. Marker 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.
3. The First United Methodist Church of Tallassee & Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
