Coweta County was created by the Georgia State Legislature in 1826 from former Creek Indian lands. Many early settlers were land-lottery winners. In 1828, Reverend Dabney Jones preached the first Methodist sermon in Coweta County in a small log structure that served as courthouse. His evangelistic preaching sparked a flame that led to the organization, in 1828, of a Methodist congregation of eight members by Reverend William W. Stegall, A circuit rider, from the Fayette Circuit. Led by Reverend Simeon L. Stevens and Reverend Richard Q. Winn, the small group built the first church, a two-story “meeting-house” near the corner of Jackson and Elm Streets (behind today’s First Christian Church). Worship was held in the downstairs room with living space upstairs for preachers.

 

According to tradition, in the early 1830s with the community and membership growing, construction of a second church was begun on a lot at the northeastern corner of, what is now, Wesley and College Streets. In 1855, the little wooden church was enlarged and a steeple added. During the Civil War, Newnan became a Confederate hospital town and the Baptist and Presbyterian churches were used to treat the wounded. Worship services for the three congregations were held in this small Methodist Episcopal Church South on Wesley Street.

 

In 1873, under Pastor Reverend A.M. Thigpen, a lot on the southwestern corner of Jackson and Madison Streets was bought for a larger sanctuary in the downtown area. Needing money for construction, trustees sold the beloved old church. It was eventually bought, in 1882, by Professor Charles l. Moses to be used for a male academy and was moved to the center of the Academy lot. Changes were made to the roofline and steeple. This historic building today stands on Temple Avenue as home of the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society Male Academy Museum. The new Jackson Street brick church took nearly a decade to complete with dedication held in 1885. In an alley off Madison Street, its back wall still remains as the rear wall of the Lindsey’s Inc. building.

 

Reverend Charles M. Lipham, also an architect and builder of churches, was assigned to Newnan First in 1925. Groundbreaking for the present sanctuary, seating 500 hundred, was held on June 21, 1927 and work was completed in 1928. Of Gothic design, the imposing new building was called “Newnan’s Cathedral.” Priceless, richly-colored stained-glass windows enhance worship services. Dominant is the large, triple-window above the choir loft – “Jesus, the Good Shepherd.” Directly opposite, above the balcony, is a similar window depicting “Christ Knocking at the Door.” Sixteen windows along the sanctuary walls portray the life of Christ in chronological order, from the Annunciation to the Ascension.

 

A major three-story addition to the right rear of the building, in 1956, provided offices, more Sunday School rooms, a kitchen and Fellowship Hall. Through the years, membership growth has brought many changes and improvements.

 

A much-needed family life center – The Parish Hall - was built on the site of the former Masonic Building/Parish House. Consecration of this large multi-purpose building was held July 1, 2001. This space has enabled us to extend ministries within the church, such as expansion of the FUMC Preschool and the beginning of a contemporary worship service; and to extend ministry into the community in many important ways.

 

The purchase of the adjoining Bank of America building and property in 2007 enlarged the church campus and has presented more opportunities for growth and service.

 

In the words from the 1978 Church History…Newnan First United Methodist Church – “A Glorious Past and A Promising Future” – “We must continue to hold high the torch of our inheritance.”