Faith Story

The history of First United Methodist Church, Irving, began in the summer of 1908 with a brush arbor revival meeting, led by Rev. H.M. Read, pastor of Grand Prairie Methodist church. Fourteen charter members committed themselves to establishing a place of worship for the citizens of the newly organized city of Irving, which marked it's 100th anniversary in 2003. [See the story Centennial Marker.] Our church's centennial, where parishioners actually met in a building at this location, is coming up in 2008. What an exciting time!

Having no place to hold services, these visionary members persuaded the school board to allow the group to meet in the school building. The first fund-raiser was a box supper - $75.00 was collected and became the seed money for the first bank account. Later, Mr. A.J. Clark donated a lot for the church at 3rd and Ohio streets. The first building was completed in the winter of 1908-09. The church began to grow. Later, a Sunday school class of young people performed a play to earn money to buy a bell to hang in the belfry. Today that same bell summons the community to a day of praise, worship and thankfulness to God.

From that humble beginning, a new sanctuary was completed in 1937 under the leadership of Rev. Tom Sterck. Marjorie Robinson married Dugan Andrews in the first wedding held here. She, along with many saints who’ve gone before, still inspires us to higher plains of faith.

In January, 1975, fire destroyed the adult education rooms, as well as damaging the main offices, library, music room and Fellowship Hall. Rebuilding, under the leadership of Rev. Earl Harvey, Jr. was completed and consecrated in April, 1977. In 1978, the church celebrated our 70th anniversary. Part of this celebration included an old-fashioned Brush Arbor revival to mark our humble beginnings. This event was authentic, including “old-time religion” music, lemonade, hand-held fans, testimonies, a sawdust trail and the mourners’ bench.

Our next major project, under the leadership of Rev. Ed Blythe, was the Family Life Center, completed in the mid 80’s. It includes a large, equipped kitchen and classrooms for youth and adults. The large gymnasium is used by youth and adults for sports activities and also provides a large gathering place for church dinners and our annual Lords Acre event. It also provides a stage for our talented youth choir tour presentations.

In 1995 a building campaign resulted in renovation of the Children’s Building. Upgrading of the facility included ramps on the north side for safety in leaving the building in an emergency. Paint and carpet enhanced the facility where our children attend Sunday school and choir practice. In the summer of 2002, the lower floor of the Children’s building was transformed into SonRise Village. Creative volunteers designed learning centers that have already captured the hearts and imaginations of our children and there are plans to expand this area as we grow. A much-used and appreciated outreach to our church members and community friends is our Mothers’ Day Out program every Tuesday and Thursday. The second phase of that same campaign was to raise monies to purchase a custom-built organ. This organ was installed in May 1998 and will be moved to our new sanctuary upon completion.

After much prayer and careful consideration, the church began a phased building campaign in 1995 to acquire adjacent properties, upgrade and enhance the Children’s building, and to consider plans for a new sanctuary. In 1998, the church approved a plan by the Building Committee to design a new sanctuary addition that would be more than twice as large as the old sanctuary. In February of 1999, the church council approved the design of the new sanctuary and in June of 1999 a huge “Event in the Tent” kicked off the Building a Legacy funding campaign for the new sanctuary. At long last, in March of 2001, a charge conference voted to proceed with the new building and funding requirements.

On October 28, 2001, a groundbreaking service for the new sanctuary was held on the site for the new sanctuary. The choir’s opening hymn was “How Firm a Foundation” - how appropriate and meaningful after so many years of planning, prayer and faith. Our new sanctuary was to become a reality! What JOY as we released hundreds of balloons into the sky - four months later we dedicated the foundation stone. As this directory goes to press, we are less than a month away from Consecration Sunday - December 15, 2002. With the dedication of this sanctuary, may we re-dedicate our lives to “lift high the Cross” and make Jesus known to all those in our community and beyond. To God be the glory!