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Our Story:
First United Methodist Church of Arlington
Over 130 years and thousands of lives changed in Arlington
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On January 22, 1877 the city of Arlington was officially recognized. There were fewer than 300 people living in Arlington. Today, nearly 400,000 call it home. First United Methodist Church of Arlington has been there since the beginning.
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The Beginning
In 1878, a group of “people called Methodists” met in the office of Schults’ lumber yard, at Mesquite and Front streets, and officially organized themselves into a church. It is unknown how many people worshiped at those first small gatherings; however, in 1882, the church school reported 65 members.
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It was not until 1884 that property was purchased, at the corner of Center and Division streets, for a church site.
Growth was slow at the beginning of FUMC’s life. By 1899, 21 years after that first meeting, there were 193 members.
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It helps to put those first years of FUMC in context. Texas was still a wild place. Bandits from Mexico were a threat in the south and a population of sparse cattle ranches left most people very isolated. In the middle of this was Arlington, a railroad and farming community where the median age was only 20. It was within this community that First United Methodist Church of Arlington developed.
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These factors likely contributed to the fact that the first brick church was not built until 1906, under the ministry of Rev. Ed R. Wallace.
Rebuilding
In 1918, fire struck and destroyed the building. The FUMC congregation was undaunted, however, and work began almost immediately on a new structure directly on top of the foundation of the old. It was not until it was nearly completed that art glass windows were added. Several of these windows survive today in our sanctuary and are prized as an important link to our past.
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| 1954 |
| In November 1954, just as building of a new Sanctuary was to begin, fire struck and destroyed the 36 year old building. Again, the FUMC congregation was not disheartened. The cornerstone for the new Sanctuary and education annex was laid on March 27, 1955. |
Established in the 1950’s, and an institution at FUMC, the Aldersgate Sunday school class still meets today. |
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During the nearly year-long construction, services were held in the Arlington Theater. On February 12, 1956, the first worship service was held in the new Sanctuary.
Modern Day
Today, First United Methodist Church of Arlington has over 5,000 members. Since 1878, additional United Methodist Churches have become established in Arlington, all having grown with material help and charter members from the First United Methodist Church of Arlington.
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| Our history inspires us to treasure our past, while realizing the importance of our future. We thank you for being a part of our story. |
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| Our Church Membership Circa 1923 |
