In the period from 1890-1920, the two M.E. Churches that served Hanceville reversed their roles.  While the M.E. Church (formed in 1870) had been the “first with the most” in the Hanceville area, after 1890 it experienced a decline in membership.  In the meantime the M.E. Church South experienced growth.  In 1904 it acquired title to the property where our present church is located (702-704 Commercial Street).  A parsonage was constructed on the west side of the property shortly after it was acquired, and a frame church building was constructed on the Commercial Street property between 1916 and 1920.

The parsonage which was built about 1904-1905.

The M.E. Church South was built about 1916.  Part of the old parsonage is seen lower left.

In 1926, the 34 remaining members of the M.E. Church North, along with the Bangor M.E. Church transferred their membership to the M.E. Church South of Hanceville.

Building the Current Church

In the early 1940s, the Board of Stewards had voted a number of times to build a new church building, but each time they backed out.  The last time they voted, in September 1944, the Reverend Woodfin Grove had the young people of the church meet him early one morning.  Meanwhile, a group of stewards were meeting at Merchants Bank in the office of cashier C.H. Gray, who was on the board.  They again decided to put off building a new church.  But, while that meeting was going on, Pastor Grove and the group of young members began removing most of the windows and part of the roof!  So shortly after, construction on the existing church began.  The church met at Hanceville School while the new facility was being built.  The Women’s society of Christian Service sold $5,113 in war bonds to pay on the construction.

Rev. Woodfin Grove and wife Dorothy in 1943.

The old church as demolition began. (September 27, 1944)  Note that windows are missing and most of the roof is gone.


         

           

Laying the cornerstone of the new rock church around 1944-1945.

                                               


                                                                 The current church when completed in 1945.

The current church was completed and dedicated in 1945.  The dedication service included the unveiling of a stained glass window depicting Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.  This window is still in place above the choir loft.

FUN FACT:  The first pastor to lead worship in the current facility was paid $150-$175 a month.  The electric bill averaged $5 a month!  The church was heated with fuel from Standard Oil Company.

1958-1960:  The church education wing was built for a cost of $8000. 

1963:  Current parsonage was built for a cost of $18,128

1968-1969: The Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church joined to form the United Methodist Church.  The first meeting of the Administrative Board of that referred to the Hanceville church as “First United Methodist Church” was October 28, 1969.

                            1971: Bible School                                            Vacation Bible School around 1979

United Methodist Women Christmas Bazaar held in church basement in 1979

      


                                      
 
                                                               Vacation Bible School, 1980
   Children’s Choir, 1982

1983 Easter play cast

Workers install the sanctuary’s stained glass windows, which were purchased in 1988

1992: The Henry Carstensen home and property were purchased for $17,250.  The home is currently used as the church annex.