our history
For over 134 years God has worked in and through this church to change lives, provide hope, and give people a family. We hope you will take a moment to read about the rich and faithful history of God's work here at First United Methodist Church Heath. You're always welcome here!
early Days
The First United Methodist Church Of Heath was born as the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church on July 31, 1890, when James Hardin sold a one acre plot of land at the corner of Farm Road 740 to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South for $25. A small house was built as a place to worship, and the Rev. W. E. Jordan received our first members in 1894.
At first the Heath church was on a "charge" sharing a minister with other Methodist churches, with a " circuit-riding" preacher travelling to a different church each Sunday. Heath had that preacher one Sunday out of the month. At various times Heath was on a charge with Chisholm, Fate, Williams Chappell, Mt. Zion, Rockwall and Forney.
On November 29, 1909, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South purchased a half-acre plot next door for $100, and the original property was sold. The Bethel church house was moved from the old plot to the new one, and the name was changed to Heath Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1913, plans for a new church house began. It is believed that part of the original house was used to build the new church, and by 1916 the congregation worshiped in their new home, complete with a pot-belly stove for heat, and gas lighting. The church worshipped there for almost 5 decades, before moving to our current location.
Timeline
On Easter Sunday, April 14, 1974, the Rev. M.G Smith led the congregation to worship in our new worship home: a “temporary” double-wide trailer. This building had been used by several other United Methodist Church in the Dallas area before it came to Heath.
In 1979 our name was changed again, to the First United Methodist Church Of Heath, and in 1999, ground was broken for a new building. On May 23, 1999, our new sanctuary, two offices, four Sunday school rooms, and a parlor were consecrated. In 2005, the sanctuary was expanded, and an office suite, more classrooms, a fellowship hall, and a youth loft were added.
In the 1970's Heath received its first student pastor (Cole Fowler) who was appointed specifically to the Heath church.
In 1981, the North Texas Conference gave financial assistance so that the church could have it's first full-time pastor.
In 1991, the church was added to the Registry of Historical sites through the Texas Historical Commission.
groundbreaking
Groundbreaking began on Phase 1 of the churches new building in 1998 This building is a 10,464 square foot building, which houses a sanctuary seating 250, a parlor, a nursery, and five classrooms.
Construction was complete on Phase 2 in 2006. This phase included 14 classrooms, a youth loft, a full kitchen, office space and a dedicated Pastor office.
FUMC Heath Today
Today, we strive to honor the past and all the saints that got us to this place. For over 134 years, God has changed lives in and through this church and yet we know that God is just getting started with us. We work everyday to remain rooted in the traditions that have brought us to this place while also staying relevant to modern life. This is a place where our faith and our life intersect. God is good all the time.
