First United Methodist Church History

First United Methodist Church of Cairo began as the Cairo Methodist Sunday School in 1867, with about 20 members. It was organized by Mrs. D. H. Wilmot, her sister Miss Lizzie Everette, and Mrs. Julia Hall. Services were held in Mrs. Hall's home until 1873, when the first church building, a white one-room frame structure with arched windows, was erected. The Cairo Church was originally in the Bainbridge District but in 1873 was assigned to the Dawson District, and then in 1875 to the newly created Thomasville District, where it has remained to this day.

The Church grew rapidly in its early years. An 1886 register showed a membership of 206. A Quarterly Conference report in 1894 showed the Cairo Church to be "in fairly good repair, valued at $1,000 with a seating capacity of 250." Construction of a new brick sanctuary began in 1900 but, due to poor quality, the walls were torn down and construction began anew. The building was completed and dedicated in 1902. By 1905 membership had reached 246, the building was valued at $7,500 and the parsonage at $2,000. The Sunday School had 200 members and 22 teachers. The minister's salary was $900 per year and the total church budget was $2,350.

Growth continued into the new century and by 1913 church membership had reached 415 and Sunday School enrollment, 500. Progress slowed somewhat during World War I and the influenza epidemic of 1918, but resumed in the early 1920s. By 1925 there was again talk of a new building and a Building Committee was established in July of that year. The present main building was completed in 1926 and dedicated debt-free on Easter Sunday, 1927. At the time, church membership was 610, Sunday School enrollment stood at 523, church property was valued at $90,000 and the minister's salary was $2,750.

The great depression took its toll on the church. By 1932 the budget had decreased noticeably and the minister's salary had been cut to $2,100 but membership was up to 639 and Sunday School enrollment was 543. In 1934, the first Vacation Bible School was held and was very successful. Women of the church played a crucial role from the very beginning, with much of their work being done through the Women's Missionary Society. In 1940, the name of the organization was changed to the Women's Society of Christian Service and would eventually become United Methodist Women.

During the 1950s, a two-story Educational Building and the present parsonage were added to the Church complex. In 1976, construction was completed on the Fellowship Building, which houses a spacious Fellowship Hall, a kitchen, a small chapel and several Sunday School rooms.

The most recent improvements to the physical facilities include replacement of the original pipe organ with a new Reuter in 1998, and the installation of a modern elevator in 2000.

Today the membership of First United Methodist is approximately 700.

The First Building (1873)

1902 Building

The 1902 Building

Present Main Building

Today's Main Building (1927)

Education Buillding

The Education Building

Parsonage

The Parsonage