In 1892, a new church was built on the same site. This is fondly called “The Red Brick Church.” Margaret Moore tells, in her most poetic way, the stories of ministers who have served our congregation since her first “history” was written.
As each minister served the congregation, she wrote about their ministry. Her beautiful language and wonderful descriptions of their enthusiasm and consecration help us know each pastor (and sometimes their families). One of her great stories is in her “history.”
“How well do we remember Col. J. C. Woodward and his lovely wife, who always occupied the second seat from the front on the left of the pulpit, the half of which was covered with a red velvet cushion. That red velvet seat was the envy of every boy in the church who had a longing to sit there just once. The Col. had a high silk hat and a gold headed cane.”
“On a certain Sunday, when the Col. and his family came in a little late, he was chagrinned to find the velvet seat entirely occupied by several well-behaved boys. It is said that he took his cane and gently tapped each boy on the head. Of course, they scattered and that stopped that!”
In the 1940’s, T. Paul Sims was our pastor. If you ask many of our seniors now, they will remember him fondly. When doing interviews with our members in 1999, at least 10 or more had what we called “T. Paul Stories.” We have had so many wonderful ministers. We take a lesson from Mrs. Moore. She loved them all.
As our church grew and grew, it was averaging near 800 each Sunday. Rev. Frank Porter came to our church in 1954 and led the church into a building project, which culminated in the beautiful church, which we now have. In an interview with Rev. Porter, he said that he was afraid that people would resist tearing down the much-loved “red brick church.” But he said that Mrs. Margaret Moore was his best supporter. In her history she said “We are standing on the threshold of a new day and a new world, a new day when the youth of our church will begin building memories that will bless their lives.” And so on May 5, 1957, a procession of members carried candles from the little red brick church to the new building. Mrs. Moore led this service with many in the long line carrying their candles with faith for a new day. What a remarkable history! FCUMC has a wonderful future ahead. We pray God’s blessing on this congregation. Amen
[Mrs. Callaway Moore (Margaret) was the grandmother of Beth and Sharon Ellis, who are still members of our church.]
