Church
First Methodist Church, 1908 - 1937 Odessa, Texas.
Parsonage
First Methodist Parsonage, 1908 - 1924 Odessa, Texas.

1951 photo

FIRST METHODIST CHURCH

COLONY OF PENNSYLVANIA METHODISTS ARRIVED 1888, LED BY REV. M.A. DAUGHTERY. RECRUITED BY TOWNSITE DEVELOPERS TO BUILD COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL. IN JUNE 1890 OPENED 2-STORY STRUCTURE AT 1900 N. JACKSON; DESTROYED BY FIRE 3 MONTHS LATER. CONGREGATION REORGANIZED BY 38 MEMBERS IN 1901. WOMEN'S HOME MISSION SOCIETY FUNDED CHURCH BUILDING AT 5TH AND LEE WITH BAZAARS, ICE CREAM SUPPERS, LIONS CLUB MEALS. FIRST STRUCTURE COMPLETED BY MEMBERS' LABOR, 1908. REPLACED BY BRICK SANCTUARY, 1937, WHICH BURNED IN 1965. CHURCH RECONSTRUCTED ON ORIGINAL SITE. DURING DR. ORBIN TURNER'S 19 YEARS (1955-74) MEMBERSHIP REACHED 3,333; TWO ADDITIONAL CHURCHES SPONSORED. MINISTRY REACHED YOUTH, ELDERLY, HOME-BOUND VIA RADIO, TELEVISION, VISITATIONS.

NO 21---------------------------------------------------1991
HERITAGE OF ODESSA FOUNDATION

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Updated: 9/8/98