A Centennial Homecoming

A Centennial Homecoming words and images courtesy First United Methodist Church

FSFUMC 1925

FSFUMC Today

FSFUMC 1955 On April 30 and May 1, First United Methodist Church of Fort Smith will be celebrating a Centennial Homecoming. The church will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the sanctuary and a homecoming as the church celebrates its life and ministry after the COVID-19 pandemic of the last two years.

With the abandonment of Harrell Chapel in 1886, the congregation of 239 met above a store in the 700 block of Garrison Avenue. At that time, the population of Fort Smith was about five thousand people and houses were being built as far out as 14th Street. The congregation soon knew it had to build a new church, but for some, Fifth Street was too far downtown and for others, 13th Street too far out. After more than a year in Adler Hall, the “downtowners” and the “uptowners” were not able to agree on a location. The congregation was evenly divided, so they decided to form two churches. The “downtowners” became First Methodist Episcopal Church South and the “uptowners” became Central Methodist Episcopal Church South. First Church was built at North 7th and A Streets, and Central was built at North 13th and B Streets.

By 1914, both had outgrown their buildings and the reason for separating was no longer an issue, so they decided to merge. In July of 1916, the boards of the two churches, which now had one thousand two hundred members, met at the Carnegie Library to discuss the need for better church, Sunday school facilities, and equipment. The First Church building at 7th and A Streets was sold to the Salvation Army and the proceeds were placed in the construction account.

The 1918 pandemic delayed the church plans, but in 1919 property was purchased at North 15th and B Streets. With a budget of $100,000, construction was begun on a sanctuary and an education building, designed by architect R. H. Hunt from Dallas, Texas. However, due to increases in the cost of building supplies, the sanctuary cost $175,000, the church did not have the funds to build the education building.

On May 15, 1921, the first service was held in the new sanctuary. A century later, due to another pandemic, the Centennial Homecoming had to be delayed until May 1, 2022. The celebration will consist of an old-fashioned picnic and a music program on Saturday, April 30. There will also be activities for children. On Sunday, May 1, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, the past president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, will deliver the message followed by a luncheon in the Family Life Center. All former members and families, as well as the public, are welcome and invited to this celebration. Visit the church website, fsfumc.org, or call 479.782.5068 for detailed information.