Request Material
Athens First United Methodist Church records
Descriptive Summary | |
| Title: Athens First United Methodist Church records | |
| Creator: First United Methodist Church (Athens, Ga.) | |
| Inclusive Dates: 1834-2021 | |
| Language(s): English | |
| Extent: 15 Linear Feet | |
| Collection Number: ms4639 | |
| Repository: Hargrett Library | |
Collection Description
Historical Note
The original congregation of what was later known as the First United Methodist Church of Athens first met in a frame building in downtown Athens in 1825. In 1828, The Board of Trustees for the Athens Methodist Episcopal Church was incorporated by an act of the Georgia General Assembly mandating the Trustees to see to the proper use of the church properties. In 1852, the original frame building was moved to the corner of Hancock and Foundry Streets for use by an African-American congregation, and a new brick structure with the current steeple constructed on the site at Lumpkin and Hancock. In 1884, an addition to the West End for Sunday school space brought the sanctuary building to about the present size and shape. From 1951 to 1952, the present educational building was constructed on the site of the former parsonage, and the chapel was built with funds contributed by Mr. and Mrs. John Stiles. From 1960 to 1963, a complete remodeling and expansion, about half of which was funded from a bequest from former member Eustace Floyd Lampkin, included the addition of a covered porch connecting the facades of the sanctuary, chapel and educational buildings. Stained glass windows were installed then by Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Mathis in memory of the missionary parents of Mrs. Mathis. During this construction, services were held in the Georgia Theater at Lumpkin and Clayton Streets. The steeple, built as part of the 1852 church, was unchanged until 1992 when it was rebuilt and refurbished with a gold-leafed cross replacing the old weathervane on top of the spire.
Scope and Content
This collection includes organizational minutes and reports, membership rolls, church history, conference reports, register books, and legal documents recording many aspects of the 200 year span of the church's history.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
[Item, box, folder], Athens First United Methodist Church records, ms4539, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.
General Notes
Two history books were published for and by the church titled "The First Methodist Church, Athens, Georgia" (1988) by John P. Bondurant, and "Forward Through the Ages" (2025) by Tom Jackson are available in the Georgia Room.