History

History of Cookevlle First United Methodist Church

Cookeville First United Methodist has a history of over 140 years of leadership and ministry in the community. Early Methodist congregations assembled in homes where they were served by circuit-riding preachers.

The Methodist congregation was organized during the year that Cookeville, then a town of five hundred, was incorporated. Affiliation was with the Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1857, a small frame building erected on Washington Avenue just south of the square, served as the church's home and was shared for several years with other religious groups.

1895

A larger church was erected on the site of the present sanctuary, accommodating the increasing membership at the time when Cookeville was also growing due to its location on the new railroad line.

1910
The building was remodeled and enlarged to nearly double its original seating capacity. The growth which continued over the next ten years has been attributed to stirring revivals. By 1912 the membership had reached 292.

1949
As building materials became available after World War II, construction began on the education wing of the church at a cost of $160,000. The 1910 structure was then removed,the present sanctuary was built, and services began there November 23, 1952. Beautiful stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ were installed.

1964
A 32-rank Schantz organ was installed in the sanctuary at a cost of $35,000. A new steeple was added and chimes were installed in it to honor Virginia Johnson for her many years of dedicated service as church organist.

1991
Construction began on September 22nd for the new Christian Life Center, at an estimated cost of $1.6 million. The 18,000 square foot building, connected to the existing facility by a Broad Street overpass, provided 13 additional rooms for education, a Fellowship Hall, and kitchen facilities. Several older buildings were demolished and a parking area was created. One building was moved and used as a Youth Annex until late 1996.

1992
The completion of the Christian Life Center enabled the church to expand and enter new areas of ministry. Along with additional Sunday School rooms, there were opportunities for dramatic and recreational programs in the large Fellowship Hall, improved accommodations for church dinners and expanded child care facilities. Jacob's Ladder, the day care service for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age, opened in September. Total value of the church's facilities and equipment reached $4 million when the CLC was finished.

1996
The church found the opportunity to acquire a former bank building on the southwest corner of Broad and Dixie at a time when space for our large and active United Methodist Youth program was needed. The purchase was approved and renovations quickly completed. To honor our longest serving minister and his wife, the new facility was named the Freeman Building. Now the church and its many programs are housed in six buildings.

1997
Early in the year, the debt on the Christian Life Center was retired. The Youth Annex another former bank building, has taken on a third identity for the newly created adult ministry: Senior Day Care and Adult Respite Center. Appropriately, the director was Susan Pangle who is herself in a third career after serving in Student Services at Tennessee Technology University and as the director of TRIAD Youth Home. Once again, Cookeville First United Methodist Church has heard the call to move forward, to reach beyond current ministries. The membership at this time was over 1800.

2000
The final Sunday evening service was held on December 31, 2000, at 6:00 p.m., ending a long tradition. Mrs. Ann Karch was selected to be Queen Mother in 2000. She was the last of the women so honored by the United Methodist Men each year since the tradition began in 1928.
Chancel and Youth Choirs presented Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors” in December, directed by Joseph Groom, Sr., featuring Joseph Groom, Jr. as Amahl, Gail Luna as his mother, Michael Choate, Tom Short, and Jere Mitchum as the three Kings; dancers Mary Jennifer Johns, Sarah Norwood, and Alicia Senn. Accompanied by Mitzi Groom, piano; Bethany Whitaker, flute; Elizabeth Kurowski, oboe.
Missions Outreach Committee voted to donate $4,000 to the Putnam County Rural Health Clinics.
The Church had over 1800 members in 2000. During 1995 to 2000, Woody Adams received 347 people into the church; 127 children were confirmed, and 90 members died. By June 2001, John Michael Jones’s first year, 92 new members had joined, Wednesday night attendance had grown by over 100 persons, and the Church had 29 Sunday School classes.
Our Church became debt free in May 2000 when the Trustees paid off the Freeman Building.

2001
Church members traveled far and wide in 2001, with 18 going to mission projects in Venezuela; 32 youth and 10 adults going to mission projects in California; and 28 youth choir members attending Music Week at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.
The Chancel Choir and guest soloists presented Christmas sections of “Messiah”in December.
Rev. Becky Larson was appointed to be the new Minister of Visitation to the Homebound and Nursing Homes.
The Lexie Freeman Christian Higher Education Scholarship Fund was established, with an endowment of $10,000 within four months.
Cookeville First United Methodist Church’s Charge Conference recommended three of its members to the District Committee as candidates for the ordained ministry during a six-year period: Ryan Bennett in 2000; Lee Stevenson in 2001;and Jeff Streszoffin 2005. Former member Pat Smith was recommended for the ministry by Monterey United Methodist Church in 2002.

2002
The Stephen Ministry was organized by Dot Fielder, and the first class was commissioned the following year.
Cookeville First United Methodist Church’s website went on line in January.
Sue Box retired after 27 years as Church Secretary.
Praise and Worship service (“The Grain”) began meeting in CLC; later moved to Wesley Chapel.
The first Habitat for Humanity house built by Church members was dedicated.
Esther Circle of United Methodist Women was formed especially for working women who could not meet during the day.
Triad House closed because of state regulations. The children entered foster homes and the house was sold.

2003
Cookeville First United Methodist Church Council approved a two-phase master plan to build a gymnasium, to expand the Church narthex, and to renovate the Church Offices and Education Building. Glenn Cunningham headed the Building Committee that would process feedback from the staff and congregation, and present final plans to an architect and contractor.
Jeff Streszoffwas appointed Youth Director, and Karen Alexgard became director of Jacob’s Ladder.
The second Habitat for Humanity house built by Church members was dedicated.

2004
The Church adopted its new motto, “Know, Grow, Show,” to complement its Mission Statement, “To continue Christ’s ministry through loving, teaching, healing, serving, and witnessing.”
Reverend Dick Wills of Ft. Lauderdale, FL was appointed Bishop of the Nashville Area of the United Methodist Church.
After discussing the proposed building plans, the Church Conference voted “To proceed with Phase I construction not to exceed $4 million” on August 29, 2004. A paper ballot vote resulted in 159 yes votes, and 10 no votes. The vote was followed by groundbreaking ceremonies in the parking lot of the Freeman Building.
United Methodist Women donated almost $2,600 to Christmas baskets, medical supplies to Nigeria, Putnam County Rural Health Clinic, Genesis House, Lazarus House Hospice, Cancer Care Fund at CRMC, Bethlehem Center in Nashville, VIM Flood Buckets, and Manos Hispanas. They continue to collect soup labels and box tops for educational supplies at the Red Bird Mission in Appalachia.
The Backsliders Class celebrated its 55th anniversary.
Martha Sue Bonner celebrated her 30th anniversary as church organist.
Travel Buddies began organizing trips to points of interest for church members led by Elinor Ross and Aleta Catron Sutherland.

2005
United Methodist Women’s annual Soup, Bake, and Attic Treasures Sale raised $2,000, to be used for District and Local Missions, Reading Programs, and Administrative Expenses. At the close of 2005 there were over 100 members in the six circles of UMW, with pledges of over $4,000.
Kathy Evans returned as Church’s Music Director after a 26-year absence.
United Methodist Men reported about 20 members at close of 2005. Made about $1,200 on spaghetti supper to benefit Church’s Scout Troop.
Cookeville First United Methodist Church purchased Central Emanuel Baptist Church building on Broad Street and later renamed it Wesley Chapel.The Charge Conference approved Manos Hispanos Fellowship,which began meeting in Wesley Chapel.
Groundbreaking for Phase II of the building program, the renovation of Church Offices and Education Building, was held in October following completion of the gymnasium. Worship services began in the new gym on October 30, andChurch Offices were moved to the Freeman Building. Kathy Evans supervised volunteers who set up and took down the worship center and 400 chairs each week during this temporary relocation.
God’s Grace Food Pantry, located in Wesley Chapel and directed by Carol Fuller and Jeanette Goryl, began serving needy families in the Cookeville community each Tuesday afternoon.
Trustees added terrorism insurance to the church’s policy – a sign of the times.

2006
God’s Healing Hands of the Cumberland Chapter of the Order of St. Luke was organized with Jeanne Buck as Convener and Rev. Jon Bell as Chaplain.
The long-awaited completion of Phase II of the building program allowed Church worship services to return to the sanctuary on November 19, and Church Offices to be moved back into the renovated Education Building later that month.
Kathy Evans,DennaHornby, and others began the Early Childhood Music Ministry for parents and children, age six months through five years.Classes overflowed with eager adults and children, most from outside our Church.
About 18 youth went to Myrtle Beach at spring break. Youth meet at Lake Lodge on Wednesday nights. There were 53 youth one Wednesday night in April 2006.

2007
Cookeville First United Methodist Church celebrated its Sesquicentennial year on Sunday, May 6th with a special service, dinner with several former ministers as guests, historic displays, and publication of “Spreading the Word,” the history of Cookeville First United Methodist Church, by Church Historian H.S. Barnes.
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) began offering free medical clinics to the Cookeville community.
“Just a Little Off Broad Street,” a musical review featuring youth choir members and other volunteer musicians from the Church,raised $1,600 for the annual Youth Choir Tour.
Missions Outreach committee held its “First Annual Past to Present Auction” intended to cover all the Church’s mission obligations without drawing funds from the Church budget.
The Church’s Soup Kitchen began with eight teams in place to serve each week.