When the Franklin Street Methodist
Church relocated, Bishop Robert E. Jones saw to it that the church was
purchased for $12,000 on May 23, 1922. He wanted a church that would
reach out to help the community.
D.S. Rev. M.R. Walker organized
the church on July 2, 1922 with sixty-five members. It was called
the Peoples Methodist Episcopal Church and Community Center. The
first pastor appointed to the church was Rev. J.C. Calvin.
To distinguish the church, Bishop
Jones and the pastor had a lighted cross placed on the steeple. Since
it was the first in the city, the church was known as the church with
a lighted cross.
While Rev. W.Talbot Handy, Sr.
served the church in the mid 1920s, a separate Board of Control was established
for the Community Center, and the Community Chest was organized.
A Day Nursery was begin in the parsonage, and a new parsonage was acquired
elsewhere. Bishop Robert N. Brooks saw to it that the Community Center
was later (1944) incorporated. The debt on the church was paid off
the following year under the leadership of Dr. G.W. Carter. |
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