Church History

The History of Collierville United Methodist Church

In 1889, land was purchased on North Rowlett Street for $250.  The cornerstone for a church was laid on July 11th, 1890, and the first service was held in the new church on January 13, 1901, led by L.T. Ward.

In 1938, the wife of Rev. F. Haynes, pastor at the time, organized a vested choir.  A parsonage was built in 1939 east of the high school on Poplar Pike.   In 1948, at a cost of $50,000, plans were begun to add an educational annex.  The annex was completed in 1950 during the ministry of Rev. J.C. Gilbert.  

Between 1950 and 1960, the church membership grew from 299 to 383.  In 1964, 15 acres were purchased for $30,000 on Poplar Avenue for a new church site.  A Fellowship Hall with a kitchen and parlor was built in the first phase of construction.  

In 1971, the church purchased a pipe organ from St. Mark Methodist Church in Memphis, which is currently used at the Sanctuary on the Square.   In 1977, a gymnasium and classrooms were added to the Fellowship Hall.  Additional classrooms were added in 1992, and in 1989 the office and choir suites were added. 

Also, during this time, the church purchased a new two-story parsonage on Mercersburg Cove, and a church bus was acquired.  A Mother’s Day Out/Preschool program was also started.  The program has been awarded accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.   By 1990, the Church membership totaled 1,375 and continued to grow. 

In 1995, ground was broken for a $4.4 million sanctuary facing Poplar Avenue.  The facility was designed to seat 1,300 worshipers, and on Easter Sunday 1997 a record 2,200 people attended two glorious services.   

In 1999, a more contemporary service, the Saturday Night Connection, was added.  In early 2004, The Connection moved to the gymnasium on Sunday mornings and became The Vineyard Service.  The Vineyard continues to grow in attendance and ministry opportunity.   

The Sanctuary on the Square is used for a regular early Sunday service, special events, weddings, funerals and occasional small group meetings.  Church members have consistently affirmed their desire to lovingly maintain the facility.  

On April 27, 2008, with a congregation numbering 3,185 and under the capable leadership of Dr. Harry Durbin, ground was broken on the first phase of a building program to eventually update and enhance the current facilities as well as add new classrooms, staff offices, a new library and new fellowship areas. 

Initial pledges to the building program “The Master’s Plan. . . Bridging Today and Tomorrow” exceeded the $4 million minimum that the church conference required in order to begin the first phase.  This response was indeed indicative of the congregation’s commitment “To Know Christ and To Make Him Known.

The historical information comes from the following sources: the Collierville Star newspaper, September 7, 1909.  The Christian Advocate newspaper, February 21, 1901.  Mrs. Catherine Henton, Mrs. Martha Mann, Mrs. Eleanor Gibbons, Mrs. Grace Ward Jamison, and the 1997 Directory of CUMC.