The Methodist Episcopal Church South began in 1842. Judge Joseph Donaldson donated the land for the church building. He also made a contribution to the building fund of $100, the largest of all donations.

The first building was a small, wooden frame structure, which was used for many years as a school and church. An original document, dated August 26, 1841, names the members who agreed to pay their donations "when it was covered in and the floor lain." In 1848, the first Sunday School in Canton was organized by these members.

The second church building was constructed in 1850 on the same site. This building, taking several years to complete, was brick and served the congregation for about seventy-five years.

Plans began in 1920 to build another church that would stand on the same site. The altar rail from the church was removed for use in the new building. The six stained glass windows, which were given by members in memory of loved ones, follow the life of Jesus. On May 2, 1926, the building was completed and dedicated. Bishop Warren A. Candler conducted the dedication service stating, "It was the first church building of its "pretensions" he has ever known to be paid for in full before dedication day." The Good Shepherd window, prominently displayed behind the choir loft, was added in 1945. This church was occupied for sixty-six years.

Due to growth in membership and lack of parking space, relocation became necessary. Ten acres of land located at the junction of Georgia 140 and I-575 were purchased to build a fourth church. On July 12, 1992, the old church was deconsecrated. The congregation marched to the new church building while carrying something from the former church (i.e., a Bible, hymnal). The new church was consecrated on the same day.

The Margarette H. McFather Chapel, designed as a small replica of the former sanctuary, was dedicated on March 13, 1994. The spectacular stained glass windows, altar rail, pulpit and pulpit chairs from the former church were moved to the Chapel.

In January of 1998, Canton First United Methodist Church embarked on the first of two Capital Funds Campaigns to lay the financial foundation that would allow this congregation to begin construction of a permanent worship center and an additional educational facility.  The Robert S. Stubbs Worship Center and Linda N. Hasty Educational Complex were completed in January of 2005, and the first Worship Services were held in the new sanctuary on February 20, 2005.

Today, with the addition of this facility, Canton First United Methodist Church is flourishing with a host of new ministries as well as many long-standing programs of worship, education, fellowship, witness, and outreach.  Yet with all this activity there is still room for others to join in.  We are constantly seeking new opportunities and ways of fulfilling our mission of reconciling the world to God one life at a time.  We seek to be a congregation that is extending the arms of Jesus to embrace persons at every stage and condition of life.  We strive to provide an environment in which even the most alienated souls can hear the knock of Jesus upon the door of their hearts and open to the experience of His life transforming love.  Our desire is for all of those who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior to continually grow in the likeness of His nature and character.  We labor to provide avenues of service and outreach through which growing Christians can find meaningful opportunities to emulate the servant lifestyle of Jesus.

All of that is to say that we at Canton First United Methodist Church want this church to be a lighthouse by which you can come to Know God, Love God, Worship God, and Serve God through Jesus Christ.

Top