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450 Maple Street " First Methodist Episcopal Church " The First United Methodist Church was founded in Myrtle Point in 1891 with 44 charter members. The congregation had no building of thier own, so they meet weekly in the First Presbyterian Church until 1898, when the first building was erected and dedicated on January 29, 1899. By 1929 the membership had increased so rapidly that church school classes were help at City Hall. That year the cornerstone for the present building was laid. In 1963 an L shaped educational wing with parlor and social hall was erected, wrapping around the original church structure. Like most churches in the community, membership has waxed and waned over the years. The height of their membership came in 1957 with 275 registered members. By 1978, numbers had dwindled to the point that a Presbyterian-Methodist pastoral research committee made a proposal to combine both congregations. But the congregations of both churches rejected the plan. In 1982, the new tile roof was added to the building by selling cookbooks and tamales, and hosting ham dinner fundraisers as well as donations and memorial gifts. In the late 1990's, a second attempt to combine the Methodist and Presbyterian churches was again, discussed, but again rejected. With an active membership of only 20 members in 2007, a decision was made April 1st to close this building but to continue the Methodist Church in the community through other activities sustainable by the remaining members. The last formal service in the church was held on Easter Sunday, 2007. Source: Myrtle Point Herald, March 29, 2007, p.8 The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in October, 1891. In 1926 the original church building was removed and the present sanctuary was constructed. The educational annex was added in 1963. During the 1980's a tile roof, ramp, carpeting, repainting and numerous memorial windows contributed to the structure's present beauty. We honor not only this building but the people who have been and are the Myrtle Point First United Methodist Church. Source: 1991 Commemorative Church plate back |
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