Did the Methodists of Dallas ever imagine their humble beginnings would lead to the magnificent First United Methodist Church of Forney? Let’s step back to 1846, when circuit riders first brought Methodism to the small village of Dallas. The First United Methodist Church of Forney’s roots trace back to these early days. It wasn’t until 1850 that a formal group of Methodists began meeting. For nearly two decades they persevered, meeting without a dedicated building. Imagine their dedication. Land was donated, funds were raised, and then the Civil War intervened. The funds disappeared. But the spirit of the Dallas Methodists didn’t break.
In 1868, the Lamar Street Methodist Church was finally dedicated. Tragedy struck in 1879 when the building burned. The congregation, undeterred, found refuge in the nearby Temple Emanuel. They rebuilt, and a new church was completed in 1889, dedicated in 1894. The name changed to First Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The church continued to grow and evolve. In 1916, First Methodist and Trinity Methodist churches merged, forming a powerful congregation of about two thousand members. The sale of the Trinity Methodist Church property helped fund the construction of Highland Park Methodist Church. This marked a significant expansion of Methodism in the area.
The First United Methodist Church of Forney stands as a testament to this rich history. The congregation dedicated a new building in 1926. By 1927, membership swelled to 3,440. During the church’s centennial celebration in 1946, five former pastors, now bishops, returned to rededicate the 1926 building. The church’s name also evolved, reflecting changes in the Methodist denomination. It became First Methodist Church in 1939, and finally, First United Methodist Church in 1968. The First United Methodist Church of Forney carries on the legacy of its founders. It continues to serve the community with mission work, service and worship.