Memorial United Methodist Church of Farmington has a rich heritage. The history of Farmington Methodism dates back to 1803 when Farmington was Murphy’s Settlement. Sarah Barton Murphy, widow of the minister who claimed this land, invited others to prayer in her log cabin home. This was the beginning of the first Sunday school west of the Mississippi River, and the place is marked by a monument in the northeast corner of the Masonic Cemetery on South Henry Street.
As more settlers arrived, the M. E. Church continued to grow until the division that brought on the Civil War in the nation also caused a split in the congregation. After the war, the church was reorganized as the Methodist Episcopal Church and M. E. Church, South, which occupied a frame building on the corner of Jefferson and Harrison Streets. In 1881 the M.E. Church, South congregation moved to a new brick building on the corner of West Columbia and Clay Streets. They soon outgrew this facility, tore it down, and built a new brick building on the same site. (This is now occupied by the Free Will Baptist Church.)
The Methodist Episcopal Church, north which had been inactive since 1844, revived after the war, chiefly through the leadership of Miss Eliza A. Carleton. She was a well educated, devout woman who established Carleton Institute north of town. In response to her call, three ministers came and organized a Farmington circuit, including all of St. Francois and Ste. Genevieve counties and parts of Jefferson, Washington, Iron, and Madison counties. In 1878 Farmington was made a charge. This group purchased a large brick building at Harrison and South Henry, from the Christian Church which had become inactive during the war. Services were held on the second floor, and the resident minister and his family lived on the first floor. This church was strengthened by the presence of Carleton College, which now had moved to Farmington. As this congregation grew; a new site was purchased at the corner of West Columbia and Franklin Streets. A building of native limestone erected here and was often called the Rock Church. The church growth was paralleled by the general growth of the town.
The M. E. Church, south received substantial bequests and a fine organ from descendants of Mrs. Murphy, so the board, in 1927, voted to change the name from M. E. Church, South to Murphy-Long Memorial Methodist Church. Likewise, about 10 years later, the M. E. Church, North, memorialized Miss Carleton, calling it Carleton Memorial Church. After the merger in 1950 the family names were dropped, but the word Memorial continued.
In 1939, the Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, South, and the Protestant Methodist Churches voted to unite nationally and worldwide. In 1950 the two local Methodist churches voted for unification. This was a combination of two enthusiastic, dynamic congregations determined to work together in the Lord’s service.
Under the leadership of Rev. Elbert C. Cole, the two separated congregations grew into one, drawing strength from one another. After much deliberation and prayerful study, the merged membership made the decision for a new building on a new 3.5 acre site on the north side of town. The membership of the new church worked vigorously to provide financing necessary for this large undertaking.
As population moved toward Farmington, and transportation became easier, small churches joined with larger ones. The Copenhagen Church, originally German-speaking, became part of the M. E. (Rock) church in 1917. Members of Delasus joined the merged Methodists about 1950. In 1960 Salem Church, north of town, joined the larger church, and then St. Paul’s congregation followed in 1965.
Countless projects by organizations in the church and sacrificial giving on the part of individual made possible the new facilities which we are privileged to use today. The first phase of the building, which included the sanctuary and education department, was completed in 1953. In 1957 the church was debt free and dedicated as a house of prayer for all people. The parish house, which included the fellowship hall, kitchen, parlor, and basement rooms, was completed in 1962. The parsonage, a bequest gift from a lifelong member, was dedicated in 1979. In 1998 a new addition was added to the building including several new classrooms and offices. A prayer garden was dedicated in 2006.
However fine or extensive the building, this is not the church. The church is made up of the people who gather to worship and go forth to serve the community locally and in the world through missions. As we serve, we grow as Disciples of Christ and share our faith with others.
As more settlers arrived, the M. E. Church continued to grow until the division that brought on the Civil War in the nation also caused a split in the congregation. After the war, the church was reorganized as the Methodist Episcopal Church and M. E. Church, South, which occupied a frame building on the corner of Jefferson and Harrison Streets. In 1881 the M.E. Church, South congregation moved to a new brick building on the corner of West Columbia and Clay Streets. They soon outgrew this facility, tore it down, and built a new brick building on the same site. (This is now occupied by the Free Will Baptist Church.)
The Methodist Episcopal Church, north which had been inactive since 1844, revived after the war, chiefly through the leadership of Miss Eliza A. Carleton. She was a well educated, devout woman who established Carleton Institute north of town. In response to her call, three ministers came and organized a Farmington circuit, including all of St. Francois and Ste. Genevieve counties and parts of Jefferson, Washington, Iron, and Madison counties. In 1878 Farmington was made a charge. This group purchased a large brick building at Harrison and South Henry, from the Christian Church which had become inactive during the war. Services were held on the second floor, and the resident minister and his family lived on the first floor. This church was strengthened by the presence of Carleton College, which now had moved to Farmington. As this congregation grew; a new site was purchased at the corner of West Columbia and Franklin Streets. A building of native limestone erected here and was often called the Rock Church. The church growth was paralleled by the general growth of the town.
The M. E. Church, south received substantial bequests and a fine organ from descendants of Mrs. Murphy, so the board, in 1927, voted to change the name from M. E. Church, South to Murphy-Long Memorial Methodist Church. Likewise, about 10 years later, the M. E. Church, North, memorialized Miss Carleton, calling it Carleton Memorial Church. After the merger in 1950 the family names were dropped, but the word Memorial continued.
In 1939, the Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, South, and the Protestant Methodist Churches voted to unite nationally and worldwide. In 1950 the two local Methodist churches voted for unification. This was a combination of two enthusiastic, dynamic congregations determined to work together in the Lord’s service.
Under the leadership of Rev. Elbert C. Cole, the two separated congregations grew into one, drawing strength from one another. After much deliberation and prayerful study, the merged membership made the decision for a new building on a new 3.5 acre site on the north side of town. The membership of the new church worked vigorously to provide financing necessary for this large undertaking.
As population moved toward Farmington, and transportation became easier, small churches joined with larger ones. The Copenhagen Church, originally German-speaking, became part of the M. E. (Rock) church in 1917. Members of Delasus joined the merged Methodists about 1950. In 1960 Salem Church, north of town, joined the larger church, and then St. Paul’s congregation followed in 1965.
Countless projects by organizations in the church and sacrificial giving on the part of individual made possible the new facilities which we are privileged to use today. The first phase of the building, which included the sanctuary and education department, was completed in 1953. In 1957 the church was debt free and dedicated as a house of prayer for all people. The parish house, which included the fellowship hall, kitchen, parlor, and basement rooms, was completed in 1962. The parsonage, a bequest gift from a lifelong member, was dedicated in 1979. In 1998 a new addition was added to the building including several new classrooms and offices. A prayer garden was dedicated in 2006.
However fine or extensive the building, this is not the church. The church is made up of the people who gather to worship and go forth to serve the community locally and in the world through missions. As we serve, we grow as Disciples of Christ and share our faith with others.
