One year after the close of the Civil War, The Reverend J.B. Ford and thirty members organized the First Methodist Epicopal Church. They held their first service on July 8, 1866 in the Circuit Courtroom of the old Knoxville Courthouse. It was the first Methodist Episcopal Church to be organized south of the Mason- Dixon Line.
The first church building was on the southwest corner of Clinch and Market Streets. The Masons conducted laying of cornerstone in the spring of 1868. The Reverend John W. Mann dedicated the Church on May 9, 1869. After 24 years, the community and church growth necessitated a larger building.
In 1892, during ministry of Dr. Thomas C. Warner, a new building at corner of Church and Locust Streets was started. Mr. C.T. Stephenson donated fine stone for the building. Church members worked on construction. The new sanctuary was first used on Easter Sunday, March 25, 1894, before an overflow crowd of 2000. After 72 years, during the ministry of Rev. Henry C. Dawson, a vote passed to relocate and enlarge the church capacity.
The Hugh Sanford property at 3316 Kingston Pike (our present location) was purchased during the ministry of Rev. Henry Horten. Dr. E.H.Ogle, the district superintendent, and Rev. Horten dedicated the new sanctuary, fellowship hall, and education building on January 16, 1966. The Sanford home (parish house) is currently used for offices, library, archives and adult Sunday School classrooms.
Two great denominations, The Methodist Church and the United Evangelical Brethren, merged into a single, powerful witness on September 30, 1968. On October 27, 1968, we became First United Methodist Church following the Holston Conference recognition of the merger. On June 1, 1997, Rev. Ron Fisher held the first "Down by the Riverside" worship service in the newly constructed Peacock Riverside Pavilion. FUMC continues to grow in membership and continues its services to the congregation, community and the world for the Glory of God.
