"Only when it has become a part of every member's heart
through events such as baptizing of our babies,
marriages of daughters and sons,
daily worship of the Lord, and
comfort of the bereaved as they give up their loved ones
-- then, and only then -- will it become a House of God."Bishop W. Angie Smith,
Church Dedication, 1959
The First United Methodist Church of Artesia has long ago fulfilled all of Bishop Smith's requisites for becoming a House of God. Read now of the church's past 100 years of service to God, to country, and to community.
In 1902, prior to the time of
the City of Artesia, a Methodist Minister, REVEREND J. C. GAGE,
had come to the territory of New Mexico with this family and was
preaching to the folks in the area. Rev. Gage lived south of the
present Artesia and saw the need for a church because the environs
were changing rapidly and the spiritual growth of the pioneers
needed a church building as well as strong leadership. Indeed,
New Mexico was not granted statehood until 1912, but Artesian
water was discovered, the railroad was laid and later oil was
discovered, all of which played an important part in the populating
and progress of this community.
Rev. Gage organized the First Methodist Church, Artesia, in 1902.
And Gage's chapel was transferred to a tent located on the lots
just back of the Eddy Motor Company.
Numerous location changes were
made during 1903 which included holding services in a frame school
at the corner of Roselawn and Grand Streets and the second story
of a building located at Main and 3rd Street. Later, the first
church building was erected at the corner of Grand and 7th Street
which would serve the church for the next eight years.
In 1908, a new church location was secured at the corner of Grand
Avenue and 5th Street and the building was begun at a cost of
$40,000. This was a beautiful structure of red brick, white columns,
a white dome, and numerous stained glass windows which were paid
for by Sunday School classes or by individuals as memorials for
their loved ones.
Times were very hard during this era but the congregation was
determined to continue their efforts through prayer, sacrifice,
and hard work. In 1910, the Women's Mission Society, having always
been a vital force in church projects, pledged $1,500 to the building.
Hard times continued with little work accomplished during this
era. Moreover, World War I commenced which further deterred completion
of the church.
Finally in 1919, the church was completed and dedicated September
16, 1923 with Bishop James E. Dickey of Griffin, Georgia, officially
presenting the building to God. Many, many dedicated laymen and
laywomen abided by their Methodist vows of upholding the church
with their prayers, their presence, their gifts, and their services
which enabled completion of this beautiful Sanctuary. A few of
the many persons who aided in this great endeavor are as follows:
E G. Kemp, Dr. H. A. Stroup, E. B. Bullock, J. H. McCreary, J.
H. Holloman, S. A. Lanriing, A. L. Terpening, and S. S. Ward.
An historical event occurred
in 1939 with the union of the Methodist Episcopal Church South
and two other Methodist Churches becoming the Methodist Church.
Methodists were growing numerically as well as spiritually and
in 1940, membership stood at 622, Church leaders just prior to
World War II were: Martin Yates, Jr., Col. Pistole, Mrs. Joe Richards,
J. E. Robertson, and George Frisch. Stewards were Martin Yates,
Jr., Chairman; Jack Spratt, Secretary; L. B. Feather, E. B. Bullock,
E. H. Hannah, Frank Herbold, V. G. Lowery, Joe Foster, J. H. Hones,
and Howard Stroup.
A parsonage was built in 1941, next to the Sanctuary, which formed
the nucleus for the present Methodist complex. "Methodist
Block" was in its infancy. Meanwhile many members of First
Methodist Church went off to serve their country in World War
II.
Six years later, 1947, additional plans were made for an educational
building and Fellowship Hall. The old church building had been
used for Sunday School classes, offices, recreation room, kitchen,
library, and sanctuary. Now crowded conditions were to be relieved
for a while.
1952 was again an important church year with 50 members of the
Cottonwood Methodist Church uniting with the First Methodist Church
of Artesia.
The Pecos Valley as well as Artesia continued to grow and in 1955
a new sanctuary fund was begun which resulted in pledges of $200,000.
Leadership for this effort was provided by S. P. Yates, J. W.
Berry, Jim L. Ferguson, Clyde Guy, Dr. C. P. Bunch, Dr. W. E.
Toney, Charles Bullock, and Vernon Mills. The building committee
for this architecturally different "A" shaped sanctuary
was Leslie Martin, Chairman; Harvey Yates, Vernon Mills, Mrs.
C. R. Blocker, and Mrs. J. H. Walker. Ground breaking was September
18, 1958 and on July 19, 1959, the new sanctuary was completed.
"Methodist Block" was changing rapidly with the purchase
of a new parsonage at 1305 Washington Street, and the old parsonage
sold and removed from the grounds.
Expanding programs and church activities were the impetus for
another major project in 1968 when a new education and office
building was constructed at the corner of Grand Avenue and 5th
Street. This building was also constructed of black brick which
enhances the sanctuary building which had also been constructed
of black brick. Both buildings house old stained glass windows
removed from the first Sanctuary.
1968 saw a name change once again for Methodists with the union
of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church,
culminating in the name First United Methodist Church.
A Methodist Church cannot be dedicated until the indebtedness
is completely paid and this goal was reached December 5, 1976
when Bishop Alsie Carlton led us in the beautiful ceremony of
dedicating our church to God.
Another major project undertaken was the installation of a faceted
glass sanctuary window whose theme is the Trinity. Mary Jo Guy
(Chairman) implemented this endeavor which required several months
for installation at a cost of $25,000. Vivid colors, typical of
archaic European cathedrals, symbolizing the Trinity. Indeed,
you feel as if you have entered the House of God in this sanctuary.
Fellowship Hall had certainly deteriorated since construction
in 1947, and in 1978, a complete renovation was implemented with
a bid of $239,146. Numerous grounds changes have been made and,
at present, "Methodist Block" buildings form a "U"
shape with a red brick patio covered by large trees and the remainder
of the area in grass.
As we enter the 21st century, men and women of the First United Methodist Church -- who serve in the Artesia Army Reserve Unit -- are in Iraq participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Thus the First United Methodist Church begins a new 100 years of dedicated service to God, country and the community of Artesia.
Compiled
by Margaret C. Worthington
September, 1993