First United Methodist Church began in the summer of 1890 when a group of early settlers, who had met as a Sunday School, became the newest congregation of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. One source indicates that this occurred on July 31, 1890.  The first church building was located on the site of Mulberry Cemetery that is located south of the present city of England, and one of the original church building steps remains there.  The first pastor was Rev. K.W. Dodson, who already was the preacher for the “England Circuit.”  That circuit consisted of three more local churches.  However, the name of only one is known—Liberty Methodist Episcopal Church in Scott. 

 

As the England community shifted to the present site on the Altheimer Branch railroad, the congregation soon related to a frame residence on the site of the present building.  The residence was later replaced with a white frame building with a beautiful steeple atop the entrance to the Sanctuary.

 

 

By 1901 the church had grown strong enough to be entirely self-sufficient and became the “England Station.”  The congregation continued to grow, and the frame church building was torn down and the current Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall building was built in 1923 when Rev. S. T. Baugh was the pastor.

 

During the construction the congregation met at the school. The architect was H. Ray Burks and Dusenberry and Jones were the contractors.  In 1956 the Chapel and Education Building were added,  The architect was Avis Brummitt, and the Jack Morgan Construction Company was the contractor.

 

A major renovation of the Sanctuary was completed in 1960 during Rev. David M. Hankins’ tenure as pastor. Included in the renovation were the change from two aisles to a center aisle, the installation of carpet, new upholstered pews, a drop ceiling, and fiberglass screen covers for the windows. The architect for the renovation was Scott Farrell and the Jack Morgan Construction Company was the contractor. In addition, a new parsonage was constructed at 224 N.E. 4^th St.

 

Improvements to the Sanctuary were made during the early 1980’s.  The work included repainting the Sanctuary, replacement of the heating and cooling systems, new carpets and recovered pews.  The most dramatic change was the addition of the stained glass windows in 1986 that were designed and made by David Soos of Soos Stained Glass in North Little Rock. The windows were given by members as tributes to families and church members. In addition, the church purchased a Rodgers 760 organ for the Sanctuary in December, 1988.

 

In another step of faith, the church family of First United Methodist Church embarked on a major renovation of the Sanctuary and other areas of the church building at the turn of the century. The building was re-consecrated for worship, prayer, and service on Sunday, August 10, 2003, at 10:50 a.m. The service began in the Fellowship Hall where the church family worshipped during construction, and then moved to the beautiful new Sanctuary.

 

Included in the Building Program’s Phase I major renovation was the Sanctuary, kitchen, a new roof, two new handicap accessible restrooms upstairs, and new carpet and paint upstairs and downstairs. In addition to the new design in the Sanctuary that provides flexibility, accessibility, and additional space, worshipers will benefit from new pews, chancel rails and chancel furniture, better heat/air distribution, new lighting, redesigned acoustics, and an enhanced sound system that includes new hearing assistance devices. This project began in 2000.  After approval by the church members, the project began and was implemented by our Trustees and others who unselfishly provided their valuable time and talents. So much had to be done and our church family rose to the challenge. The architect for this renovation was Fred Perkins, Jr. and the Jack Morgan Construction Company was the contractor.