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Historical Highlights of Martinez United
Methodist Church
In the spring of 1956, the Rev. Jimmy Budd from
St. Marks Church and Rev. T. M. Sullivan from
Woodlawn Methodist saw the need of a Methodist
Church in the Martinez area.
A meeting was held in the Martinez Community
Center on June 10, 1956 with Rev. Budd
preaching. At the end of the service he asked
that all interested in organizing a Methodist
Church to come forward. 18 people stepped out.
After meeting in the community club for about 4
weeks, plans were made to purchase 4 acres of
land on Washington Road with an abandoned
clubhouse for $12,000. The clubhouse had been
used as a summer home, a clinic run by Dr. Will
Jennings, but the last thing it had been used
for was a gambling hall. Members of the
congregation pitched in to assist with the
renovation. The Rev. Elvyn McDonald was
appointed as the first pastor of the church.
Under the Rev. Albert Beatty, plans were drawn
to build a large meeting hall and several Sunday
School rooms. Plans were almost completed when
the Rev. Gus Cole was sent to Martinez United
Methodist Church in 1962.
On June 23, 1963, Dr. Cochran, District
Superintendent, let the service of consecration
for the meeting hall. The Sunday School rooms
were added in 1965. The Rev. Pleman Folds, Rev.
Jim Ransom and Rev. Harold Vaughn served as
pastors at Martinez Methodist Church.
In 1975, Rev. Jerry Newsome was sent to
Martinez United Methodist Church. On June 10,
1977 ground was broken for the new sanctuary and
competed in 1978. It is designed to seat 350
and is connected to the older building by an
administrative wing, which contains a new church
office, pastor’ study and choir room.
Rev. Newsome served the church for 6 years and
many good things happened during his ministry.
The Good News Fellowship Class undertook the job
of renovating the original building on the
inside. Four large Sunday School rooms ere
added downstairs and later the upstairs was made
into Sunday School rooms.
The Rev. Thorsen Colbeg, Dr. Clyde Smith and Dr.
Felton Harden served well.
The Rev. Howard Bledsoe was sent to Martinez
United Methodist Church in 1996. The debt on
the church was paid off around the first part of
1997. The mortgage was burned in April of 1997
on Homecoming Sunday.
At the church conference held September 21,
1998, the Building Committee presented the plans
for the new wings that will be added to the
present building.
On Sunday, July 30, 2000, the new education
building was consecrated by the Rev. Jane
Brooks. We began using the new education
building inn August 2000.
The Rev. Peggy Lowe was appointed as the pastor
in June 2001. At the Annual Church Conference
on November 14, 2001, the new education building
was dedicated. All indebtedness as paid.
The Rev. Bob Hoeller was appointed as an
associated pastor in June 2003.
The Rev. Perry Shelfer was appointed as pastor
in June 2006.
Gwendolyn Ayers
Church Historian
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