FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

BAINBRIDGE, GEORGIA

When the original 50 acres was laid out for the town of Bainbridge, Georgia, a parcel of land in the southwest corner thereof was reserved for the Methodists, and in 1830, fee simple title to the property was vested in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first Methodist church building - a log house - had been erected to the west of and adjacent to the present church site. At that time the Methodists in this area were under the South Carolina Conference.

In 1854, a new and larger church was built; by the early 1890's, this church became inadequate and a new brick building was dedicated on November 9, 1899. This building was destroyed by fire in 1906; construction on a new building was begun immediately after the fire, and this building, which was dedicated in 1911, is still in use at the present time.

To the original physical facilities of the church have been added an Education Building, Known as the John Sharp Building, and The J. O. Smith Activities Building.

For nearly two centuries the First Methodist Church (formerly known as the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Bainbridge, the First Methodist Episcopal Church, South of Bainbridge, and the First Methodist Episcopal Church) has been not only a landmark of the community, but a vital source of spiritual outreach. Over this period of time, 63 pastors and 13 associate pastors have ministered to the spiritual needs of Methodists, as well as others in the community. From this church have gone five of its sons and a daughter into the active ministry of proclaiming the gospel.

Probably the greatest Christian influence of the church over the years has been through the faithfulness and good works of the laity - persons who have been spiritually nurtured by this church and who have gone out in their adult years to live in other communities, taking with them the tenets of faith taught them in their respective homes and in their mother church, the FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of BAINBRIDGE, GEORGIA.

Currently Bainbridge First Methodist Church has a membership of 1,131 members. Average attendance at services is listed below:

Updated 10/3/2001

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