FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Centennial Watch
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!
