In the early 1870's, Mr. A.H. Ahten
began a Sunday School for children and young people. Mr. Ahten, one
of the early settlers of Carrollton, was from Ost Freesland, Germany, and
the lessons were held in German. The school progressed as an Epworth
Mission, and later as an Epworth Church.
When the Rayne Memorial Church
bought them a lot on the corner of Carrollton Avenue and Third Street,
Rev. Christian Keener designed, financed, and built a church on the site.
It was dedicated on February 14, 1886 by Bishop John C. Keener. The
charter for the new church was signed on March 16, 1886.
The present sanctuary was opened
in May of 1914 (one record says 1919) and dedicated in February of 1920.
The old church was given to a black congregation, who used it till it burned
down in the 1970's.
The first education building
was dedicated on April 14, 1929. An addition was constructed and
dedicated in 1944. Expansion led to the construction
of a new education building in 1954.
The first parsonage was a home at
1125 Fern Street that Mr. A.H. Ahten sold to the church. The present
parsonage was consecrated on November 20, 1966 while Rev. James T. Harris
served as pastor.
Source: Brief History of Carrollton United Methodist
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