Religious services began by
1906 with revival services held under a tent in the woods. They were
led by Sisters Perdue and Bartlet. By 1912, Methodists (and other
denominations) began holding services at the Woodmen of the World building
on Main Street. Sister Perdue (a Methodist) and a Baptist minister
each preached there once a month. The congregations later separated,
with the Methodists forming the Urania Methodist Protestant Church.
They continued to meet in the same building. Sunday School was held
in the afternoon every Sunday.
In 1926, they decided to build
their own structure. After the theater at Urania burned down, that
location was selected for the church. The Hardtner family (who owned
the Urania Lumber Company) had the company build the church in 1927.
The church arranged to repay the debt in monthly payments. Numerous
fundraising efforts were made. Henry Hardtner matched donations from
area merchants. The church was built in memory of Sister Bartlet,
who had moved to California.
Sister Perdue (who lived in
Atlanta, Texas) would take the train to Urania once a month to hold services.
The lumber company paid her salary for many years. She served the
church until 1939.
The church was left without
a pastor after the 1939 merger in Methodism, and some members joined other
churches.
In 1956, the church was remodeled.
Local residents used 35 varieties of (native) hardwoods in the sanctuary.
The lighted cross on the wall was placed in memory of long-time member
C.E. Tannehill. Bishop Walton led the dedication service for the
remodeled church in the early 1960s.
When the Urania Lumber Company
was bought by Georgia-Pacific in 1968, the land was deeded to the church
(1969). |
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