First United Methodist Church of Franklin North Carolina

Quick Facts about our church

• 2005 was our 185th anniversary
• 1830 - Jesse Siler personally financed and built the first church building.
• 1835 – Governor Swain deeded a tract of land to the trustees of the church.
• The current building is the third church built on the site.
• Our church has been and is a leader in missions and youth ministry in our community.
• The Spirit of the living God guides us as we seek to serve Him as Lord of our lives.
• We have met the grace of God in our Lord Jesus, and His love continues to motivate us to serve Him with gratitude and thanksgiving.

The Town of Franklin and the first Methodist Episcopal Church "preaching point" were es­tablished in 1820 making the Methodist con­cern of bringing the Gospel to this county and the birth of its political institution concurrent.

The "preaching point" was unique to Meth­odism and proved to be effective across America.- The system provided for a circuit rider in the general region to begin holding services in private homes as a "church" house did not exist. Reverend Andrew Hamill was the circuit rider who began Methodist services here in 1820. From this time the Methodist people have had uninterrupted services.

In 1830 Jesse R. Siler deeded about an acre of land to the Methodist Church and put up a building 30x40 feet in size "weatherboarded, covered and floored." This building was located on the north side of West Main Street opposite the former Macon Savings and Loan Building at the corner of West Main and Maple Streets.

When this building was completed, Jesse Siler sent a note to Rev. H. Posey, the Baptist minister, which reflects the ecumenical spirit of the Methodist people. The Baptists were in­vited to meet with the Methodist in the new church. Posey accepted and wrote that pastors of both churches "preached and concluded with a song and good warm shake hand feelings."

The tract of land on which the present church stands was conveyed to the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the Town of Franklin in Macon County by a land grant signed by Governor David L. Swain on January 10, 1835. There have been three buildings erected on this site.

In 1860 as the sounds of War began to rumble throughout the country, the Methodists built a new church building about 100 feet west of the present church. This building was 32 x 64 feet and veneered with hand-made brick, some of which are still in existence. Carved in an arch over the pulpit were the words "each for the other and both for the Lord." For over fifty years "Aunt Mary Jule", widow of Julius Siler, taught the Children's Sunday School class. This structure had a slave balcony and housed black Methodists for more than twenty years after the Civil War. Between 1885 and 1890 the Black portion of the congregation established the New Hope Church. Aunt Mary Jule Siler walked every Sunday afternoon to the New Hope Church to teach the children's Sunday School class there.

The year 1917 was a year of triumph and tragedy; visionary leadership and heroic dedi­cation. At the beginning of the year construc­tion of a new church was begun, embodying the existing side and south walls of the 1860 build­ing. The workers recalled the bitter cold weather during which they were digging the footings. Because of the irregular brick work in the 1860 building the church was stuccoed. There were no rock crushers in the county and field rock were hauled in and crushed with sledge hammers for use in the concrete.

A photograph in the Tuesday, November 13. 1917 FRANKLIN PRESS shows a smoke-filled sky, falling roof timbers and gutted walls as the sad aftermath of a fire totally destroyed the new church less than six months after it was com­pleted. The church had applied for insurance but the paper work had not been completed. The PRESS article said, "The Franklin con­gregation is a plucky one. On the next day after the fire more than $4000 was pledged toward a rebuilding fund and it is their intention to re­place the building at once." The plucky con­gregation did rebuild. The location was moved closer to Harrison Avenue and the present church was built. This has been enlarged twice: by the additiion of more Sunday School rooms in 1952 and the extention of the Sanctuary in 1968.

In November, 1944 stained glass windows were installed which had been purchased through memorials made by the individual members. These have added to the beauty of the sanctuary.

Worship through music was enhanced in 1917 by a gift of an Estey pipe organ given to the church by Andrew and Nat Gennett in memory of their mother. Although repairs and im­provements have been necessary through the years, this organ served the church for 60 years. In 1976 the congregation voted to purchase a new pipe organ to be built especially for the church by the Schantz Organ Company of Orr-ville, Ohio. Installation was completed early in February of 1977 and later the same month the organ was dedicated with an organ concert by James B. Porter. Mr. Porter, of Dayton, Ohio is a Maconian with many ties to this church.

Many of the founders of the Methodist Episcopal Church and many early settlers of Macon County are buried in the cemetery adja­cent to the present First United Methodist Church. Three Revolutionary War veterans are also buried here; Weimer Siler, William Trammel and William Addington.

At twilight each evening chimes from the tower of the First United Methodist Church send music of inspiration to all of Franklin. The original chimes were given by Mrs. W.A. Rogers on Easter Sunday, 1952. In 1962 a mo­tion established a committee to buy new chimes. Mrs. Rogers and Mr. Mark Dowdle gave the new chimes system which is heard today.

The church membership has continued to in­crease through the years. In 1986 and 1987 the church has acquired additional property to meet present and future needs of the church. The Hope Patton house and property was purchased as was 3/4 acre of land belong to Mrs. Lois Jones and family. The Jones property borders the cemetery and the Norman Elaine property.

Architect, Crawford Murphey, Shelby, N.C. has been hired to do a feasibility study on church needs and to draw plans for future growth.

The First United Methodist Church doors are open not only to members but to the community at large. Many groups use its facili­ties, such as, Scouts, Literacy Council, Hospice, Homemakers and prayer groups.

Early settlers began the church with a vision to worship as they thought best, caring and sharing through an inclusive church with a pluralistic background. Former minister, Donald W. Haynes wrote, "There is a new openness in many of our church — an openness to God and His will in their lives. This dimen­sion of our life will doubtless have great influ­ence as the hand of tomorrow's history writes. With people as its business and God at its helm and in its heart, this church will develop a ministry and a mission to match the majesty of the mountains that surround her."

From: The Heritage of Macon County North Carolina 1987

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