by Mrs. Frances Brown Kent

On March 7, 1946 there was great excitement at the site of the historic First  United Methodist Church for the work of tearing down the once beautiful and imposing red brick building had progressed to its last stages and the cornerstone, laid in December 1850, had just been found by the pastor, the Rev. John Weems Moore, whose eager interest had made him a frequent spectator and an ever more frequent helper to the demolition crew. The cost of razing the building was about $2,000, and the time necessary, approximately two months, the work of destruction having been begun in January.

This exterior of First United Methodist Church was prior to the demolition in 1946/1947. You will notice the house to the left of the church. This was the old parsonage, where the bell tower stands today. This is the building, which was complete in 1850.

Unfortunately, those who prepared and assembled the writings and articles for the cornerstone felt constrained to include an ear of corn, undoubtedly because of its symbolism, and catalysis, resulting from the release of acids, made many of the papers crumble at the first touch. However, there remained much that was interesting and informative. A history of Methodism in Grenada by Edward Fitzgerald Gibbs, recording steward, a short sketch of his life and a list of ministers and members of the church at the time of the laying of the stone were in good condition and quite legible. All were written in very beautiful longhand, the art of which has sadly declined, the use of the typewriter for most writing being prevalent. So on Friday, March 8, 1946, the Rev. Mr. Moore began the work of deciphering, cataloging, and preparing a "museum" which the members of the church and citizens in general have thoroughly enjoyed.

While Mr. Gibbs history of local Methodism begins after the towns of Tullahoma and Pittsburg had been laid out in 1833 on adjoining sections, there are records that go back to 1820. At that time, three Methodist ministers from Massachusetts, John Smith, A.A. Aikin, and a Mr. Hunley, came as missionaries to the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians and organized the first church in this territory. September 15, 1830, the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek had been signed in which the Indians had agreed to relinquish their land and move to Indian Territory. Those who wished to remain were permitted to do so, John Donally and Perry Frihan among them. They homesteaded the land now known as Grenada. The line between their estates later became Line Street. John took the "hunting grounds" on the east of the line and Peggy the higher lands on the west. Two settlements grew up on these land grants that later became two towns, the one on the east being known as Tullahoma and the other, Pittsburg.

There was much rivalry and bitterness between the two towns, and some of the leaders, catching a vision of the future and what might be accomplished by the two working in unison, suggested that the towns unite. An impressive wedding ceremony was performed by a Protestant minister, the Rev. Mr. Lucas. Some of the early records state that he was a Methodist. There is a discrepancy in the date of the wedding, Gibbs' record giving 1834 as the time of the union and others, July 4, 1836. The earlier date seems to be the one generally accepted for an elaborate pageant and centennial was celebrated here July 4, 1836 and the wedding ceremony, with the preliminaries leading up to it, was re-enacted. The writer enjoyed the novelty of dressing as a "horse woman" of the date, and riding "side saddle," as ladies did then, in the parade, and that evening in the pageant, of taking part in the "Vision of the Future" who admonished Hiram Runnels, leader of the Tullahoma group, and Franklin Plummer of the Pittsburgh side to work together in harmony.

The bickering and quarrels, which had gone on so furiously before and after the wedding, were finally smoothed out and a town incorporated by the legislature to which the name Grenada was given. You who read who read something of your town's and church's history, perhaps for the first time, are doubtless interested in knowing why that name was selected. There are several stories: One is that Grenada is the Indian work for marriage, another that the ferryman gave the town its name from the Spanish, Granada. But the story most generally accepted is the one told my by my father, Dr. T. J. Brown, M.D., who died October 10, 1938, and by Mrs. A. W. Stokes, who at the time of this writing, is still living. According to these two, Dr. Allen Gillespie, a physician who died in 1869, was reading Washington Irving's The Albambra when the union took place and suggested the name Granada from the Spanish city of the same name. The spelling was Anglicized by the substitution of an "e" for the first "a." A monument to Dr. Gillespie was erected by the citizens of Grenada after his death and it stands today where he was buried in the "old" or "Oddfellows' Cemetery," north and directly across from the newer Woodlawn Cemetery.

From the time the missionaries arrived in 1820, Methodism grew slowly and steadily. The second story of a building which stood on the present site of Friedman's Store at the corner of First (Depot) Street and Main, just across the street from Grenada Bank Building was first used as a meeting place for worship. Among the charter members were James and Harriett Sims, Harriet being the daughter of the Rev. Mr. Smith, one of the founders of the first church. It was Mr. Sims who, later in 1850, gave the lot bounded by Union, South, Lynch and Line Streets which became known as the "Methodist Square" and has been continuously since, our church home. He deeded the property to William Lake, and others, Trustees of the Methodist church for the sum of $500, etc. He, of course, gave the $500.

According to Mr. Gibbs' record, in the year 1834, while the country was yet but little more than a wilderness, the Rev. Samuel R. Davidson, then of the Tennessee Conference, in passing through on his way to Vicksburg, tarried here a few days, preached and formed a Methodist Society consisting of nine members. After this date Gibbs' records and the others available seem to coincide for the same names appear, etc. To quote further from the record found in the cornerstone; "James Sims was appointed class leader and this small band of disciples regularly met in class meeting and were greatly strengthened and encouraged together in the use of the means of grace which we regard as the keystone of that particular form of Christianity known as Methodism. A small log house was built for a temple of worship but it had not sheltered them long when it was burned down. They them held meetings, as opportunity offered, under cotton sheds or in new houses, before they were furnished or ready for habitation."

In the year 1836, a camp meeting was held at Spring Hill, seven miles west of Grenada, and many were added to the church. In 1837, a framed church edifice was erected and in October before it was completed, Bishop James O. Andrew, on his way to attend conference at Vicksburg, preached the first sermon in it from the appropriate words; "God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth." There was a formal dedication of the house but in that discourse we were plainly shown in what manner we should approach the Father of our Spirit.

The location of the church was on Line Street, the lot nearest Margin, on the west side. One record states that the membership of the church at this time was but thirty, but Mr. Gibbs says it was "more than a hundred" and that the population of the town was about (?).

It is recorded that the church building was never painted. The story of the bell, bought for this church, used in the one demolished to make room for the building now in process of construction and preserved (we hope) for our descendants to see is interesting. It was bought by two of the members, William and Levin Lake, shipped from Cincinnati, Ohio, where it was made by flatboat to Vicksburg, them up the Yazoo and Yalobusha rivers to Grenada. It was placed on a vacant lot on Line Street across from the church and them was used in the building constructed 1850-1855 on the "Methodist Square."

In December 1838, the Mississippi Conference held its session here, Bishop Morris of Ohio, presiding. Seventy-five preachers were in attendance. The territory embraced six states: Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. The same territory now comprises seventeen conferences. The early circuits were also very large, covering as much territory as a present day district. The Bishop and members of the conference came on horseback, some riding as far as twelve hundred miles. It was a law of the church that no minister was to retain no more than a one hundred dollar salary. One that was to put into a common treasury to supplement the unpaid salaries. Many did not receive the stipulated one hundred dollars and the citizens of Grenada made up the deficit. Among the resolutions passed at this conference were those condemning church fairs, rented pews, instruments of music in worship and church choirs!

It was in the spring of 1838 that the first Methodist Sunday School was organized. In 1837 a Union School consisting of Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists had been formed and Jeremiah Talbert, a Baptist, chosen superintendent. After the organization of the Methodist (?…….) Gibbs as "a man remarkable for a meek and quiet sprit," was retained as superintendent until his death in 1839. Mr. Gibbs continued. "The school has continued from its organization to the present time with occasional temporary interruptions in a very prosperous condition." Membership in 1850 was between 60 & 100, he states.

1839, being the centenary of Methodism, Mr. Gibbs says that the 23rd day of October was appropriately celebrated. At the General conference of 1839 the Memphis Conference was formed and Grenada became it southern extremity.

The Rev. Lewis H. Davis, who was the preacher here in 1845, was blind "from this 16th year but his soul was full of Heavenly Light." A great revival occurred in that year, according to Gibbs, who said, too, that other years, particularly 1843, had seen such revivals. The church at this time numbered 240 white and more that 100 black members.

In 1845, the Memphis Conference held its 6th session here. No bishop was present so the Rev. Moses Brock presided.

On the 7th of May 1846, a very destructive tornado passed through Grenada wounding 63 and killing 22 persons. One hundred seventeen houses, "great and small," were blown away.

Mr. Gibbs' concluding paragraphs are: "The Methodists have ever been foremost in affording to the African population the means of grace. They have a separate church and preaching every Sabbath and number near a hundred members. Their children also have (?) instruction. "We have been blessed of the Lord and may he continue His blessings to us and to our children."

In 1850 when the Methodist Church was moved to its present permanent home, the old building was converted into a girls' school called Bascom Seminary. It was closed during the war and failed afterwards for lack of support.

There is little material available about the church during the years between 1850 and 1890, but two things of importance occurred: In 1860 the first parsonage was built; and in 1885 the first missionary society in the local church was organized. On January 21st, eight consecrated men and women met for organization in the home of the Rev. S. M. Thames. Mrs. T. J. Newell was selected as president. The three pastors present were made honorary members. Some years later, the younger ladies were organized in a group known as the Wesleyan Workers and in 1920 under the leadership of Mrs. A. W. Stokes, they became an active Missionary Society. In 1923 the two groups were made one and have continued as one, although at the present time the working women of the church who cannot attend the afternoon meetings of the regular society meet once a month at night for a fellowship supper and study hour and are known as the Wesleyan Guild.

In 1890, during the pastorate of the Rev. J. E. Thomas, the church building was remodeled preparatory to the meeting of Conference held that year. The Rev. W. M. Mitchell began a four-year pastorate in 1908 and during that time further changes were made. The second parsonage was built in 1914. It was in that year, too, that the pipe organ was installed in the church.

Some years later it became evident to the leaders in the church that more adequate church facilities must be provided.

Rev. John W. Moore concludes Mrs. Kent's historical account with this:
" At whatever distance in time we may stand apart, we have done and are doing what you will be doing in the day these pages come to your view. Having received from the hands and hearts of our fathers a good heritage, we seek to improve it and pass it on to those who come after us. It is our prayer that many of the high aspirations toward which we have directed our energies will have been reached before you day and that many others will be reached as the result of your labors. To this end we pray that Almighty God will bless us and you and l the children of the Kingdom who may have lived and loved and labored from our day to yours, and that His peace may be upon you forever. Amen.

John W. Moore, Pastor
February 15, 1947