First United Methodist Church Sesquicentennial

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SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2017

HISTORY In 1867, nine devout souls met in the home of postmaster W.A. McCanless to organize a congregation of “the people called Methodist”. From that day, the First United Methodist Church has made a continuing contribution to the spiritual and moral resources of Tupelo. The one hundred fifty years of its history is the story of its ministers, its members, and the countless ones whose lives have been touched in ministry in the name of Jesus Christ.

At the time of this meeting, there was only one other church in Tupelo. The First Baptist Church was organized seven years earlier.

Largely as the result of “the famous 1870 Mayhew Revival”, the Methodists decided in the same year to build a church building. A lot, on the east side of the 300 block of North Church Street, was purchased from J.C. Shoup for one hundred fifty dollars.

One of the most significant events in the history of the church occurred in 1899 when the new church was completed. This was the present sanctuary. The new structure was built by five laborers directed by a Mr. Stinson of Columbus at a cost of $4,900.00. Since the citizens of Tupelo had voted in

electricity that same year, the church was lighted with electricity from the very first. This new building was one of three brick buildings in the community at the time. The others have long since disappeared, leaving this church as the oldest brick structure in Tupelo. As the congregation of the First Methodist Church faced the twentieth century, it lifted its new spire over a progressive community that boasted of gravel sidewalks, a modern lighting system, and a population of 2,118 souls.

One historical event of this period was the celebration of Mothers’ Day in 1909. The year previous, Miss Anna Jarvis had originated the idea in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and celebrated the first Mother’s Day with an appropriate program. J.H. Ledyard was visiting in Philadelphia at the time and attended the program.

The following year, under Mr. Ledyard's direction, the First Methodist Church was one of three places in the United States where Mother’s Day was observed.

H

Happy 150th Anniversary from HOLLAND FUNERAL DIRECTORS Congratulations to our friends at First United Methodist Church on 150 years.

It has been our honor to serve you.

Honoring the past, embracing the future one family at a time.

5281 CLIFF GOOKIN BOULEVARD • TUPELO • 840-5000 300 WEST MAIN STREET OKOLONA • 447-2000

To the left: The original Methodist Church built in 1870, on the east side of the 300 block of North Church Street.

Bottom: The current church was completed in 1899.

On Saturday, April 4, 1936, workmen labored until dark putting a badly needed roof on the parsonage. The next evening at 9:00 p.m., a large tree which stood in front of the house was blown through the

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STEVE HOLLAND

SADIE HOLLAND

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HISTORY dining room wall, seriously damaging the newly installed roof. The front of the church also was badly damaged and the steeple was blown down. These are only minor examples of the extent of the devastation suffered by the community when the tornado struck, leaving in its wake much pain and grief. The pastor, the Rev. H. F. Brooks, turned the parsonage and the church into temporary hospitals, as the local hospital was completely inadequate to care for the hundreds of people who were seriously injured. The Rev. and Mrs. Brooks ministered in a very meaningful way to the great suffering of that time. He held more than 60 funerals for victims of the disaster.

Historic Downtown Tupelo 842-6453 | Mall at Barnes Crossing 842-5287 | reedsms.com

Celebrating 150 Years of Sharing The Joy of God’s Blessings

499 S. Gloster St. • Midtown Pointe • Suite D-4 Tupelo, MS 38801 • (662) 377-6630

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SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2017

SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2017

CAMPUS

The lovely parsonage on Church Street is the fourth occupied by the ministers and their families.

Happy 150th Anniversary!

From

105 East Main St. | Tupelo, MS

662-842-7241

Congratulations Locations in Tupelo, Booneville, Ripley, and Okolona

on 150 years of service to God and community

Journal DAILY

A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER DEDICATED TO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND MANKIND.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2017

MISSIONS First United Methodist is dedicated to its outreach ministries. In 1987, their Christian Life Center was completed. The church expanded their global missions with teams traveling to Russia, Africa, Mexico and many home ministries most notably the Delta mission project.

Mississippi Methodist Senior services was founded in order to serve older adults. In 1967, Traceway Manor, the first of twelve campus throughout Mississippi, was erected in Tupelo. No one has ever had to leave their home due to inability to pay because of the Sunday Fund, held on Mother’s Day each year.

One of the strongest phases of a strong youth program has been Scouting. Troop 12, sponsored by the Chapman Men’s Bible Class, was chartered in 1925, with Bert Lyle as first Scout Master. It has produced more Eagle Scouts than any other troop in the Yocona Council. Paul Eason served faithfully as scoutmaster since 1947. This troop is recognized as one of the best Scout units in Northeast Mississippi.

It’s an honor and blessing to congratulate you on 150 years of faithful service.

BISHOP’S

Est. 1972

Flower Shop Owners Bill & Brenda Shumpert

1001 E. Main St • Tupelo • (662) 844-3410 bishopsflowershop@att.net

Happy 150th Anniversary! from

Classic Finishes AMERICA’S BEST PAINT

1181 W Main Shopping Center • Suite A Tupelo • 662-842-0366

SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2017

SERVICES The church has always furnished leadership to many community and state-wide activities of a worthy nature. The church has continually preached and taught a gospel of responsible service to its constituency. In the midst of turbulent times, this positive proclamation has borne good fruit. Their efforts have been largely responsible for Tupelo’s reputation as progressive, law-abiding, growing city.

A contemporary service known as The Invitation, was developed to reach a larger demographic and provide an emerging style of worship. The first service was launched in Wesley Hall on September 7, 2008. The setting was new, the aesthetics were different and the music was primarily Contemporary Christian.

Instead of being led by an organ and choir, the service was directed by a worship leader, ensemble of singers and a band.

CONGRATULATIONS ON CELEBRATING First United Methodist Church on your

Sesquicentennial Anniversary!

Thank you for 150 years of service to God and the community.

Mid South Nursery “QUALITY PLANTS & SERVICE SINCE 1953” 339 COLEY ROAD, TUPELO • 842-4194 Monday thru Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

108 SOUTH SPRING | 842-4165

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MISSIONS

The church and its members have sought to express their love of God and for others for the past 150 years.

Helping Hands was started in the Bell South building in 1998 to serve families with food and clothing who are not eligible for Salvation Army.

The Church After School Association, CASA, was started in 1981 for the children of working parents to have a safe place to go after school.

Congratulations FUMC in Celebrating 150 Years of Serving Our Community!

4239 Westside Drive | Tupelo, MS 38801 | (662) 842-4245

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MUSIC

Beverly Clement, now Mrs. Steve McAlilly, arrived in 1984 to become Director of Music ministries at our church. Under her leadership, the children’s choir program was expanded, the singing Christmas tree performances were begun and the popular dinner theaters were enjoyed by church members as well as other local citizens. In 1991, the chancel and choir area were renovated to accommodate the installation of the Gabrielle Kney pipe organ which was purchased for $340,000. As of the date the organ is valued at $1,000,000.

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