Around 1890, John Askew Smith and his wife, Fannie Pinchback Smith, moved to this area. Earlier, he had purchased 1,700 acres of land to build our town. After having it surveyed, he set aside one lot on the eastside at the foot of Whetstone Mountain (110 South Inman Ave.). Here he built a Methodist Church for his wife, she being a devout Christian.
Mrs. Smith and other Methodists in the area were served by preachers from the Kings Mtn. Circuit. The first minister was Rev. W.S. Hales (1891-92). Mrs. Fannie P. Smith was listed as the first member of the congregation. Rev. Hales was followed by Rev. John W. Bowman (1892-94).
When Rev. John W. Roberts served as pastor in 1894, there were 11 members on the church roll. In the first year, 17 new members joined, and, upon his death in 1897, there were 84 members on roll. He was buried on the church grounds. A tall steeple-like, white stone monument marked the site. His grave site was later moved to the Bessemer City Memorial Cemetery.
The original Church was sold around 1903 and the present brick structure, at 110 W. Alabama Ave., was constructed in 1902-04. The land and locally-made brick were donated by the J.M. Odell's for the new Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
During the ministry of The Rev. C.B. Newton (1929-33), a small frame building, called "The Hut", was built by the Young Men's Friendly Class. It had a seating capacity of more than a hundred, with an adjoining room for the Ladies Class. It also served as a meeting place for the Boy Scouts. Around 1920, some of the members left M.E. Church, South to build a Methodist Episcopal Church on the North side of town. It dissolved during the conference year 1939-40, with its members merging with M.E. Church, South. In 1941, a new charge was formed and the name was changed to Central Methodist Church. In 1945, the S.J. Durhams gave the church a lot adjoining its property. The church was re-named in memory of Mrs. Durham's father and it became The J.M.Odell Memorial Methodist Church. In 1949, an educational building was built during the ministry of Rev. A. Frank Phibbs (1947-52). The Hut was sold and moved.
Rev. George C. Starr, Jr. helped achieve a bright new look in our sanctuary, with white pews and new white altar furniture. Plans were drawned for an additional educational building during his five year ministry (1958-63), and construction began in the spring of 1963. (Note burning for this educational building was December 12, 1982).
In 1967, Rev. George E. Lyndon and family moved into the parsonage at 212 W. Maryland Ave., which dates back to 1897. During his term as minister for our church, Rev. Lyndon and family moved into the new four bedroom brick parsonage at 902 S. 14th St. (Note burning for the new parsonage was held during the ministry of The Reverend Mitchell Murrow (1985-87).) In 1969, following the unification of Methodist and the E.U.B. Churches, the name was changed to its present form: First United Methodist Church.
In the early 1980's, the Trustees, being concerned about the condition of the Sanctuary, received bids for its renovation. It was vacated January 1, 1984, and all services were held in the Fellowship Hall. It was initially voted to raze the old structure and build anew. However, this vote was overturned June 7, 1987 when plans and designs for church restoration and a budget estimate were approved.
Under the ministry of Rev. Thomas L. Rousseau, our congregation entered the beautifully restored sanctuary on October 17, 1988. A Centennial Service was held April 28, 1991, with many former members and ministers joinning the celebration. In 1992, Rev. Terry L. Rowland and family glassed-in a porch on the West side of the church parsonage, making an impressive addition to the parsonage. Also, during his ministry (1991-96), a Special Memorial Service was held, paying tribute to every deceased member of this church since its beginning in 1891.