Our History

This history includes excerpts from "The History of Lexington United Methodist Church, 1853 - 1995" by Mrs. Hildred M. Porter. Additional content provided by Belinda Michael and Patrick Campbell.

As early as 1853 there was a Methodist Church in Lexington. It was a log building, and it was destroyed during the civil war along with a Cumberland Presbyterian church, and a Primitive Baptist church.

In September of 1902, Reverend G. M. Randle, pastor of the Rogersville Circuit of which the Asbury Church was a part, held a meeting in Lexington to organize a church. This church began with 18 charter members. Mrs. Mattie Phillips was the first to sign the charter. The presiding elder at that time was S. L. Dobbs, and the church was part of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

A lot was deeded by Mr. A.L. Phillips for the first church building. The building was started, but not completed until two years later when the Masonic Fraternity took it up and built over the church. The building was furnished with benches and an organ, and was also used by other denominations in the neighborhood. On the fourth Sunday afternoon in May 1916, the building was destroyed by fire. 

1916 - The church met on the second floor of this building until a new building was finished in 1917.

Photo of the 1917 church building taken in 1933.

The congregation held services in the schoolhouse until a more modern building was finished in 1917. Rev S.W. Brooks was pastor. This church was a white frame, one-story building with a bell tower, facing west. It was furnished with an organ, and chairs were used instead of benches.

The church's name officially became Lexington Methodist Church following the merger of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and the Methodist Protestant Church.

The church's first parsonage - built in 1921.

The church grew and, in the early 1940's, the people began planning for a new building. In 1949, a brick structure was completed. The bell from the old bell tower was displayed on the north lawn. The dedication was held the fourth Sunday of September, 1952, and established the 4th Sunday in September as an annual homecoming day.

Lexington Methodist Church was a part of a circuit until 1958 when Rev. Franklin Phillips became the first full time pastor. In 1959 the educational building was completed and, in 1964, a parsonage was built next door to the church. Rev. Bill Fears was pastor.

The church building as it appeared from 1949 - 1968.

The church building as it appeared from 1968 - 2004.

The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged in 1968 to form the United Methodist Church.

The same year, a new entrance, pastor's study, and nursery were added to the church building. It included a steeple given by Mrs. Ora Taylor in memory of her late husband, Dr. John W. Taylor.

The Fellowship Hall was added in 1978, containing a pastor’s study, library, kitchen, and Sunday School rooms.  

The Family Life Center was started in 1994 and completed in 1995. It originally included a kitchen, Sunday School rooms, stage, restrooms, large activity area, and a walkway on the upper level. This building has served the church, community, and Lexington School.

The church building as it appeared from 1968 - 2004.

In 2004, the church voted to begin construction of a new sanctuary. The final service in the 1949 sanctuary was held on January 2, 2005. The building was demolished, and construction began on the current sanctuary. Worship services were temporarily moved to the Family Life Center.

On November 18, 2005, the church held a special Homecoming service, officially dedicating the new sanctuary. The new construction included Sunday School classrooms, a baptistery, and a stage capable of accommodating traditional and contemporary worship. 

Years of doctrinal disagreements led to a fracture of the United Methodist Church. Like many other churches in the nation, and in the North Alabama Conference, the church entered a period of discernment in 2022. 

On February 27, 2023, the church voted to disaffiliate from the UMC, and to seek membership with the newly formed Global Methodist Church.

On May 11, 2023, the church was released from the UMC and officially became a Global Methodist Church. The church also reclaimed the name it held from 1939 - 1968: Lexington Methodist Church.

As we begin this new journey as Lexington Methodist Church, we intend to continue our mission of sharing Christ through help, hope, and love. We will also continue to serve and support our community. We pray that God will continue to lead us, just as he has led us through this transition.

Join us every Sunday as we gather to worship together at 10 AM.