| HISTORY OF MARION UNTIED METHODIST CHURCH |
| MARION UNTIED METHODIST CHURCH (1835-2005) |
The Marion United Methodist Church was established in 1835 and is the second oldest Methodist Church in
Arkansas. It was served by Methodist Circuit Rider preachers until 1843 when the first resident pastor, Alexander
Avery, was appointed. The first church building was located on the west shore of Marion Lake and was a log
structure. The log structure was destroyed in a cyclone in 1873. The women of the church raised $800 to replace
the church building and a new frame structure was completed in 1876. The church was later relocated to the corner
of Military Road and Currie Street in 1918 and that Sanctuary building (originally contain a sanctuary, six Sunday
School rooms, and a pastor's study) has served the congregation on that property for 87 years.
The parsonage was built in 1912 at the corner of Currie and Pine. In 1949 a new parsonage was built on the church
property just south of the Sanctuary building. In 1981 the parsonage was "picked up" and moved to the property at
135 Turner Avenue. It was completely remodeled at that time, with a master bedroom and garage added.
The Sanctuary building had an educational unit added in 1942. The addition was a two story brick attachment to the
south end of the building. It had a fellowship hall a kitchen, two restrooms, an assembly room, and five class rooms.
The sanctuary was remodeled in 1952. In 1957 the educational building was remodeled.
The current Family Life Center was built in 1981 on the site south of the Sanctuary building where the parsonage
had formerly been located. The church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1984.
In 1994 the church purchased a building which had functioned as a grocery store for many years, just to the east of
the Sanctuary. The Building was remodeled into the youth building and named the Matt Sample Youth Building and
opened in 1995.
In 2004 the church purchased additional property attached to the east and south of the church property. Following
that purchase, plans were presented to a Charge Conference by the Building Committee, and the church voted
unanimously to move into a building program which would add a gymnasium to the current Family Life Center, and
then build a new sanctuary and educational building. A ground breaking service took place on October 3, 2004.
The new gymnasium building is presently under construction. When that is completed, the old sanctuary will be torn
down and construction will begin on the new sanctuary and educational building. Projected completion for the entire
building project in 2007.
In 2005 the Marion United Methodist Church continues to be a vital, growing part of the community and celebrates
170 years of being in service to the Lord here in Marion.
Arkansas. It was served by Methodist Circuit Rider preachers until 1843 when the first resident pastor, Alexander
Avery, was appointed. The first church building was located on the west shore of Marion Lake and was a log
structure. The log structure was destroyed in a cyclone in 1873. The women of the church raised $800 to replace
the church building and a new frame structure was completed in 1876. The church was later relocated to the corner
of Military Road and Currie Street in 1918 and that Sanctuary building (originally contain a sanctuary, six Sunday
School rooms, and a pastor's study) has served the congregation on that property for 87 years.
The parsonage was built in 1912 at the corner of Currie and Pine. In 1949 a new parsonage was built on the church
property just south of the Sanctuary building. In 1981 the parsonage was "picked up" and moved to the property at
135 Turner Avenue. It was completely remodeled at that time, with a master bedroom and garage added.
The Sanctuary building had an educational unit added in 1942. The addition was a two story brick attachment to the
south end of the building. It had a fellowship hall a kitchen, two restrooms, an assembly room, and five class rooms.
The sanctuary was remodeled in 1952. In 1957 the educational building was remodeled.
The current Family Life Center was built in 1981 on the site south of the Sanctuary building where the parsonage
had formerly been located. The church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1984.
In 1994 the church purchased a building which had functioned as a grocery store for many years, just to the east of
the Sanctuary. The Building was remodeled into the youth building and named the Matt Sample Youth Building and
opened in 1995.
In 2004 the church purchased additional property attached to the east and south of the church property. Following
that purchase, plans were presented to a Charge Conference by the Building Committee, and the church voted
unanimously to move into a building program which would add a gymnasium to the current Family Life Center, and
then build a new sanctuary and educational building. A ground breaking service took place on October 3, 2004.
The new gymnasium building is presently under construction. When that is completed, the old sanctuary will be torn
down and construction will begin on the new sanctuary and educational building. Projected completion for the entire
building project in 2007.
In 2005 the Marion United Methodist Church continues to be a vital, growing part of the community and celebrates
170 years of being in service to the Lord here in Marion.
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