RED
BRIDGE UNITED METHODIST CHURCHRED
BRIDGE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
MARTIN CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1888-1975
The Martin City Methodist Episcopal Church South was organized in
1888 as a result of revival services conducted by Rev. J.C. Givens
who was pastor of the Belton Methodist Church. Services were held for
a time in the Green Valley School House. Then property was donated by
B. Martin of Kansas City, and in September, 1890, the new building
was dedicated debt free, by the pastor, Rev. J.C. Givens.
With
the growth of the community, plans were being made for a larger
facility. In 1929, the basement was completed and equipped. The
church building was used for church and civic meetings, and became a
community center. In 1939, the Methodist Protestant and Methodist
Episcopal Churches reunited, and the church then became Martin City
Methodist Church.
In 1953, construction was started on a
two step project which would cost approximately $29,000. However, a
series of events, including a fire in 1956, lightning striking the
tower of the church, and finally the tornado of 1957 which destroyed
the church sanctuary, led to the decision to build a new church
structure. The new building was occupied in February 1959, and
dedicated, debt free, by Bishop Eugene Frank on May 7, 1967.
About this time, property at 116th and Holmes was purchased and
served as a parsonage until a new one was built at 115th Terrace and
Cherry in 1974. The property at 11606 Holmes was exchanged for
property on the corner of 117th and Holmes.
RED BRIDGE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1975-
In 1975 the Martin City United Methodist Church
and the Memorial United Methodist Church united to become one
congregation. The Memorial church building was sold and the combined
congregations met in the Martin City Church until it, too, was sold.
It was decided by congregational vote to take name Red Bridge United
Methodist Church, and to accept the invitation of the First Baptist
Church on the corner of Red Bridge and Wornall Roads to meet in their
Sanctuary until a church could be built. In May, 1978, the
congregation move to their new home, the Red Bridge United Methodist
Church on the corner of 117th and Holmes Road.
The
present sanctuary and education building was paid for in 1993. At
this time the church built new classrooms, office space and a family
life center, with occupancy occurring August 1995.
Red Bridge
United
Methodist Church
has been
pastored by:
William R. Butts, 1975
William B. Farris,
1975-1977
Kenneth R. Lutgen, Jr., 1977-1985
Roy M. Stuart,
1985-1987
Alfred O. Smith, Jr., 1987-1995
Dustin Cooper,
1995-2005
Bart S. Hildreth, 2005-2007
Rusty Maggard, 2007-present
Final Phase Breaking Ground 1999