The exact founding date of the
Winnfield church is not know, but it is believed to date back at least
to the 1850s. From 1859 to 1865, Rev. J.F. Bellany served as the
chaplain of the local Masonic Lodge. He was a Methodist minister
and is believed to have held services in the area.
The first church was built when
Daniel Kelly, a local lawyer an acre of land to the church in 1870.
The frame building served as the Methodist church and was also used for
Baptist services and as a schoolhouse.
The original church was torn
down in 1900 and replaced by another frame church. In 1918, the second
church was torn down and construction of a new brick edifice began.
Once Sunday while the pastor, Rev. R.S. Walton, was away the church collected
$12,500 towards the new church … mostly in Liberty Bonds and War Savings
Stamps. Rev. Walton was replaced by Rev. Jordon, under whose leadership
the majority of church construction was completed.
The church continued to grow,
and it hosted the Annual Conference in 1933. Under Rev. Fred Flurry’s
pastorate (1945-1950), the church embarked on several building projects.
A new parsonage (dedicated October 15, 1950) and an education building
were was built in the late 1940s. Construction plans began on a new
sanctuary. Rev. Porter Caraway succeeded Rev. Flurry and led
the congregation in the construction of the new sanctuary, which was finished
by 1952. It was paid for and dedicated in February of 1958.
Source: First Methodist Church, Winnfield, 1964 – Christian
Symbolism and History |
