FAST FACTS:
First Church as its called is back home on the foundation where their church has stood for 183 years. They held worship services back on their property for the first time since fire damaged most of their buildings.
"Jubilee. That is the only word that describes it. The land has laid fallow for awhile but now we're back," said Dell King, church member.
In October 2006 the historic First Church caught fire and the burning embers spread setting 3 other downtown buildings on fire. The sanctuary was destroyed. The administrative and Sunday building next to it heavily damaged but they were able to save a small portion of it. This weekend they reopened that annex building after 3 years of raising money to pay for the major renovations it needed.
"A lot of members are coming here for the first time since the fire so it's a day of new beginnings for us," said Rev. Scott Alford, senior pastor.
Since the fire members have held services at a number of different locations.
"We had a nice place over there at St. Jude. They treated us well but we're happy to be back," said Paul Efnor, church member since 1945.
Worship services are being held in what will later become the fellowship hall. The 4 story building isn't totally new but it feels like it. It has all the modern conveniences before the fire they could only wish for. It's handicapped accessible, has a chapel inside for smaller services and it's one of the few churches with a roof top members can use for outdoor services and events like concerts and weddings. there's a view of all of downtown. it's a new beginning for one of the city's oldest churches that has served the memphis community.
The church's pastor has just been here since July. He will take the church into the next phase of which entails rebuilding the historic sanctuary.
- First United Methodist Church downtown Memphis returns home
- Administration building heavily damaged by fire totally renovated
- Building has modern conveniences
First Church as its called is back home on the foundation where their church has stood for 183 years. They held worship services back on their property for the first time since fire damaged most of their buildings.
"Jubilee. That is the only word that describes it. The land has laid fallow for awhile but now we're back," said Dell King, church member.
In October 2006 the historic First Church caught fire and the burning embers spread setting 3 other downtown buildings on fire. The sanctuary was destroyed. The administrative and Sunday building next to it heavily damaged but they were able to save a small portion of it. This weekend they reopened that annex building after 3 years of raising money to pay for the major renovations it needed.
"A lot of members are coming here for the first time since the fire so it's a day of new beginnings for us," said Rev. Scott Alford, senior pastor.
Since the fire members have held services at a number of different locations.
"We had a nice place over there at St. Jude. They treated us well but we're happy to be back," said Paul Efnor, church member since 1945.
Worship services are being held in what will later become the fellowship hall. The 4 story building isn't totally new but it feels like it. It has all the modern conveniences before the fire they could only wish for. It's handicapped accessible, has a chapel inside for smaller services and it's one of the few churches with a roof top members can use for outdoor services and events like concerts and weddings. there's a view of all of downtown. it's a new beginning for one of the city's oldest churches that has served the memphis community.
The church's pastor has just been here since July. He will take the church into the next phase of which entails rebuilding the historic sanctuary.
