Difference between revisions of "First United Methodist Church"
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The '''First United Methodist Church''' or '''First Methodist Church''' is a historic church in Pensacola, currently located at 6 East [[Wright Street]]. The church's current pastor is the Reverend [[Wesley Wachob|Dr. Wesley H. Wachob]]. | The '''First United Methodist Church''' or '''First Methodist Church''' is a historic church in Pensacola, currently located at 6 East [[Wright Street]]. The church's current pastor is the Reverend [[Wesley Wachob|Dr. Wesley H. Wachob]]. | ||
| − | == | + | ==History== |
| − | [[Image:FirstMethodistPalafox.jpg|thumb|left|The church's second home, at [[Palafox Street|Palafox]] and [[Garden Street]]s]]First Methodist Church was first established in Pensacola on 7 | + | [[Image:FirstMethodistPalafox.jpg|thumb|left|The church's second home, at [[Palafox Street|Palafox]] and [[Garden Street]]s]]First Methodist Church was first established in Pensacola on [[December 7]], [[1821]] as a mission of the Mississippi Methodist Conference, with the Reverend [[Alexander Talley]] as the mission's first pastor. Initially services were held in a courthouse and old theatre. In [[1827]], the church purchased a lot on the northeast corner of [[Tarragona Street|Tarragona]] and [[Intendencia Street]]s, and a permanent home for the church was built, with the first services held on [[June 2]], [[1828]]. |
This first church building suffered two fires and in [[1881]] the property was sold and the church constructed a new facility on the northwest corner of [[Palafox Street|Palafox]] and [[Garden Street]]s. In [[1906]], that lot was sold to make way for the [[San Carlos Hotel]], and the church purchased its current site on [[Wright Street]]. | This first church building suffered two fires and in [[1881]] the property was sold and the church constructed a new facility on the northwest corner of [[Palafox Street|Palafox]] and [[Garden Street]]s. In [[1906]], that lot was sold to make way for the [[San Carlos Hotel]], and the church purchased its current site on [[Wright Street]]. | ||
| − | The cornerstone for the church's current | + | ==Current facilities== |
| + | ===The sanctuary=== | ||
| + | The cornerstone for the church's current sanctuary was laid on [[October 14]], [[1908]]. Services were held at [[Hannah Hall]] on [[Romana Street]] until the current building was completed in [[1910]]. Services were first held there on 30 October [[1910]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Between [[1997]]-[[1999|99]], the sanctuary was renovated; its roof was replaced, its sandstone walls were cleaned with acid, and restoration work was carried out on its stained glass windows. Due to damage from [[Hurricane Ivan]] in [[2004]], the sanctuary roof was once again replaced in [[2005]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2002]], a new pipe organ was dedicated; the organ is "the largest and most comprehensive pipe organ in [the] area with 73 ranks of pipes and weighing some 50,000 pounds. This organ consists of a four-manual and pedal ebony console, a solid white oak case plus 4,153 pipes." | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Other facilities=== | ||
| + | In [[1951]], an Education Building was constructed. In [[1959]], the Chapel of the Good Shepherd was built in memory of [[W. C. Mackey]] and [[E. R. Malone]]. "The Ark", a youth activity center, opened in [[1980]], followed by [[The Wright Place]] in [[1983]]. A new administrative building was constructed between [[1988]]-[[1989|89]], linking the sanctuary to The Wright Place. In the early 1990s, the church acquired property on Wright Street from a bankrupt car dealership and transformed it into a seventy-car parking lot for its members. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2000]], the Church purchased two buildings across Wright Street, which became their Youth Ministry Center and Outreach Ministry Center. In [[2004]] as a result of the Church's "Build on the Dream" capital project, a new three-story lobby building was completed. The lobby has connections to the sanctuary, library, Henry Roberts Activity Center, Wright Place, and the Education Building. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2007]], the Church purchased the adjacent [[Scottish Rite Masonic Center]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Missions== | ||
| + | Several other area Methodist churches began as missions of First Methodist, including [[Cokesbury United Methodist Church]] and [[St. Andrew United Methodist Church]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Church leaders== | ||
| + | *Rev. [[C. B. DuBose]] (d. 1882) | ||
| + | *Rev. [[C. W. Gavin]] | ||
| + | *Rev. Dr. [[Henry Earle Roberts]] (retired June [[2006]]) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <small> | ||
| + | *[http://www.pensacolafirstchurch.com/about.htm About First United Methodist Church]] | ||
| + | </small> | ||
[[Category:Downtown churches]] | [[Category:Downtown churches]] | ||
Revision as of 21:31, 19 December 2008
| First United Methodist Church of Pensacola | |
| |
| Denomination | Methodist |
|---|---|
| Organized | December 7, 1821 |
| Senior Minister | Rev. Dr. Wesley H. Wachob |
| Location | 6 East Wright Street |
| Previous locations | NE corner Tarragona and Intendencia Streets NW corner Palafox and Garden Streets |
| Website | www.pensacolafirstchurch.com |
| <googlemap version="0.9" lat="30.417221" lon="-87.215652" zoom="16" width="300" height="250">
30.417032, -87.215583 First Methodist Church </googlemap> | |
The First United Methodist Church or First Methodist Church is a historic church in Pensacola, currently located at 6 East Wright Street. The church's current pastor is the Reverend Dr. Wesley H. Wachob.
Contents
History
First Methodist Church was first established in Pensacola on December 7, 1821 as a mission of the Mississippi Methodist Conference, with the Reverend Alexander Talley as the mission's first pastor. Initially services were held in a courthouse and old theatre. In 1827, the church purchased a lot on the northeast corner of Tarragona and Intendencia Streets, and a permanent home for the church was built, with the first services held on June 2, 1828.
This first church building suffered two fires and in 1881 the property was sold and the church constructed a new facility on the northwest corner of Palafox and Garden Streets. In 1906, that lot was sold to make way for the San Carlos Hotel, and the church purchased its current site on Wright Street.
Current facilities
The sanctuary
The cornerstone for the church's current sanctuary was laid on October 14, 1908. Services were held at Hannah Hall on Romana Street until the current building was completed in 1910. Services were first held there on 30 October 1910.
Between 1997-99, the sanctuary was renovated; its roof was replaced, its sandstone walls were cleaned with acid, and restoration work was carried out on its stained glass windows. Due to damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the sanctuary roof was once again replaced in 2005.
In 2002, a new pipe organ was dedicated; the organ is "the largest and most comprehensive pipe organ in [the] area with 73 ranks of pipes and weighing some 50,000 pounds. This organ consists of a four-manual and pedal ebony console, a solid white oak case plus 4,153 pipes."
Other facilities
In 1951, an Education Building was constructed. In 1959, the Chapel of the Good Shepherd was built in memory of W. C. Mackey and E. R. Malone. "The Ark", a youth activity center, opened in 1980, followed by The Wright Place in 1983. A new administrative building was constructed between 1988-89, linking the sanctuary to The Wright Place. In the early 1990s, the church acquired property on Wright Street from a bankrupt car dealership and transformed it into a seventy-car parking lot for its members.
In 2000, the Church purchased two buildings across Wright Street, which became their Youth Ministry Center and Outreach Ministry Center. In 2004 as a result of the Church's "Build on the Dream" capital project, a new three-story lobby building was completed. The lobby has connections to the sanctuary, library, Henry Roberts Activity Center, Wright Place, and the Education Building.
In 2007, the Church purchased the adjacent Scottish Rite Masonic Center.
Missions
Several other area Methodist churches began as missions of First Methodist, including Cokesbury United Methodist Church and St. Andrew United Methodist Church.
Church leaders
- Rev. C. B. DuBose (d. 1882)
- Rev. C. W. Gavin
- Rev. Dr. Henry Earle Roberts (retired June 2006)
References
