Humble Beginnings
In 1835, Jacob Matthews, a visiting circuit rider of the Methodist Episcopal church, held the the first methodist service in this area under a grove of sweet gum trees near a spring which the Choctaws called Hic A Sha Ba Ha.
Matthews' pulpit was a stump, and those who gathered sat on a few wooden rails.
This picture is of the Starkville First Methodist Church, erected in 1885
A Church by many names
In 1845, the dividing date of the Methodists of the north and south, the official name of the denomination was changed to Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
The name, Methodist Episcopal South, of Starkville, remained until 1939 when national unification took place and the church was renamed First Methodist Church.
In 1968, with the mergers of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the church name became Starkville First United Methodist Church
This picture shows attendees of the 1888 North Mississippi annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South,
hosted in Starkville
Expanding
With the construction of the Education building in the 1960s, Sunday School classes had more room to grow. Some Sunday School classes created in the expansion still meet today!
The first and second floors are now home to Weekday Ministries, a full service day care.
Learn more about study options here
Learn more about Weekday Ministries here
Christian life center
The church expanded again in 1996 with the Christian Life Center (CLC)! The CLC added a larger kitchen, an indoor walking track, more classrooms, a stage, and an indoor gym.
The CLC is used today for large gatherings and Wednesday night suppers.
Connection Building
For many years, contemporary worship services at Starkville FUMC were held in the Christian Life Center. Prior to becoming church property, the Connection building served as different local businesses, including a car dealership, a furniture store, and a clothing store. The location was purchased by the church in 2013, and Starkville FUMC members rallied together to renovate the building. Services at Connection began in 2014, and since then, the building has been used for church events, meals, Exam Slam, and even concerts!