First Methodist Church (Memphis, Tennessee)

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The First United Methodist Church (built in 1893) is a church in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was severely damaged by fire in 2006.

1 History
2 Pipe Organ
3 Fire Destroys Church
4 References and external links

[edit] History

Organized at the Bell Tavern on the first Sunday of February in 1826, First Church is the oldest institution of any kind in Memphis. The first sanctuary in the city was constructed in 1832. The early Methodists offered the log-frame building to the Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Catholics, and Baptists for their use as well. A brick sanctuary was constructed in 1845; the current sanctuary was completed in 1893. The education and administration building, the Pepper Building, was opened in 1924.

Over the years, the ministries begun or housed in these buildings have included: the Epworth League outreach to young adults, Sunday school classes for the deaf, ministry during the Yellow Fever epidemics, Shrine School for Children, Methodist Hospital, MIFA Senior Center, First Forum, the Single's Church, FirstWorks, New Hope Christian Adademy, and The Shepherd's School. In worship, the laity have served in choirs and in orchestras, have hosted Annual Conferences and week-long revivals, and have organized Sunday Schools. More than 2,000 children and adults were enrolled in Sunday School each week during the 1920's.

[edit] Pipe Organ

The pipe organ at First United Methodist Church was built in 1926 by the W. W. Kimball Company of Chicago for the Masonic Auditorium in New Orleans. The original cost was approximately $21,000. First Church bought it in 1945 for $12,500.

The organ was dedicated on Sunday morning, November 23, 1947, followed by a recital that afternoon with choir and soloists. During its use, it has suffered significant water damage several times. Renovations to the sanctuary have had negative effects on the instrument, and air conditioning and heating changes have been destructive to various parts. But the organ is still in use by the church.

[edit] Fire Destroys Church

Fire swept through the historic downtown church on October 6th, 2006, collapsing its steeple and setting fire to two other buildings, one of them twenty-two stories tall.

The First United Methodist Church was largely destroyed. Its roof caved in, the steeple toppled, and some of the walls crumbled onto the streets. The flames then spread to two other buildings about three blocks from the church, including the Lincoln American Tower, once the tallest building in Memphis.