Tiptonville First United Methodist Church
Tiptonville TN

Tiptonville First United Methodist Church invites everyone to worship in a friendly reverent atmosphere. Tiptonville First United Methodist Church invites everyone to worship in its large, air-conditioned stained glass embellished sanctuary. A Mueller pipe organ, one of the few left in the area, provides a musical part of each Sunday morning service. A time of greeting comes before each service: then follows music, children’s time, prayer time, scripture reading, and a spiritual message. Sunday evening services offer congregational singing and a message from the pastor.

Sunday School offers its classes to all age levels. The Robert Henley Men’s Class meets in the Fellowship Hall and encourages all men in the community to be a part of its Sunday worship. Ladies have two classes to choose from that meet in the education annex of the church. The Faith Class allows focus to the younger woman while the Friendship Class gives the more mature woman an opportunity to grow in knowledge of the scripture and its application to daily life in the twenty-first century. Our youth have classrooms in the education annex of the church along with a nursery. Youth are a vital necessity for our church and activities are planned through the year for them.

Bible Study on Wednesday evenings gives an opportunity for in depth study of different books of the Bible. Additional Bible Studies are offered; for example, Disciple Bible Studies. All of the evening services are in partnership through an extended ministry with Crockett Chapel United Methodist Church.

Additional extended ministries continue to enrich the worship opportunities of the church. The church participates in the community wide Thanksgiving worship, and the Men’s Prayer Breakfasts. Also the church offers special services for Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Easter Sunrise and fall spiritual meetings.

Sunday School for all ages meets before the main service of the morning. A time of greeting begins each service; then follows music, scripture reading, and a spiritual message. Sunday evening services offer congregational singing and a sermon. Wednesday evening services provide time for Bible study and discussion.

Mission Statement

The mission of the First United Methodist Church of Tiptonville is to reach out to the lost in God’s love proclaiming the gospel of Christ and minister to the needs of the community with open hearts, open minds, and open doors.

 

https://www.memphis-umc.net/churchdetail/195797  

 

When entering Tiptonville on St Rt 21, proceed west through the first red stop and go light, then the second red stop and go light, then two blocks, the church will be on the corner of Church and Tipton Street. Parking is accessible from Tipton Street.  

History of the FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Page by Lynne Ayers from the records of Blanche Peacock, Emma Wigdor and Isabelle Algee

Settlement of the western section of Obion County (not known as Lake County until 1870 at the time of the Constitutional convention) began about 1826, and for many years the population was too thin to cooperate in church organization. Land for Tiptonville was not bought until 1855, and majority of the buildings erected after that were destroyed during the Civil War. Re-building of communities commenced in the fall of 1865.

By 1870 Methodism was represented in Lake County by nine congregations belonging to the Madrid Bend Circuit of the Dresden District. According to The Goodspeed History of Tennessee the Tiptonville Methodist Church was formed in 1871 with 17 members, by Rev. M. J. Holifield. In 1890, it had about 65 members. Originally it belonged to the Dresden District and W. 0. Lanier ministered to its needs as well as well as those of Crockett’s Chapel. Both churches became a part of the Union City District in 1879, and, in 1907, part of the Dyersburg District.

The meeting places in those early days were in whatever buildings the Methodists could get permission to use. On February 26, 1876, a committee was appointed to secure a location where they might build a church in or near Tiptonville. It was called Jail Lane where the present road turns toward the ferry.

In 1953, through the efforts of the Rev. D. W. Anderson, air conditioning was installed, and the church was re-roofed; the men’s Sunday School class

The two-story building was set back from the street, and the second floor was used by the Masonic Lodge. The first building was used for twenty years; then, with the change in the layout of the town, another lot was purchased. It was the second lot from the southeast corner of Church and Walnut Streets, where the Church of Christ now stands. This lot and the building thereon were sold by the Methodists on January 9, 1926, to the Church of Christ for $3000.

As to the third church, the third lot on the northwest corner of Church and Tipton Streets, was deeded to the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South on April 25, 1924. The dimensions of this lot reach to the center of Church Street and to the center of Tipton Street. The congregation moved into the building in January 1926. The building itself cost $34,800 and installation of the organ ($7000), pews and other fixtures brought the total cost to $53,000. The church in 2003 had a replacement value of $970,00.

In 1957, while the Rev. H. F. Clayton was pastor, the pews were repaired, refinished and rearranged to make a center aisle. Some of the pews were moved to the large classroom at the rear to change it into chapel format; others were moved to the gallery.

In 1960 a planning committee was appointed to survey the needs of the church for additional educational space, and held its first meeting on August 16. This committee recommended the building of additional space.

The building was completed in the spring of 1962 and on April 5, 1964, free of indebtedness, was dedicated by Bishop Marvin A. Franklin. In 1965, the sanctuary was completely redecorated — this being the first time that the dark woodwork had been changed from the original. A soft green with matching carpet gave the sanctuary a warmer atmosphere. A new altar was placed in front of the sanctuary; to it were added a brass cross and candlesticks; a velvet chancel pad as well as a new lectern and pulpit were added, and two matching chairs. Pew cushions were installed and four brass-collection plates were given. Later brass vases were added to this area, and a brass receiving.

The Andy Peacock Chapel was dedicated on June 6, 1971. The chapel seats about 40 persons and is never locked, nor are the soft lights directed at the cross ever extinguished.

A 100 year celebration was held September 10, 1976, with Rev. John Deal as pastor.

The Past Twenty-five Years

The church continues to make changes since the celebration of its 100th anniversary in 1978.

On the exterior, a paved parking lot with night lighting and covered portico improved parking and accessibility for members. New front doors installed in 1973 added to the front of the building as did a handicap ramp. For safety, new doors were installed exiting the education wing of the church. To accommodate the mobility of members and guests, the church purchased a van and covered shelter for it.

On the interior, the sanctuary was been repainted in 1992 and again in 2001. The grand piano in the sanctuary was given to the church by Clair Roberts in memory of her mother Elizabeth. A new sound system and audio-visual equipment was acquired for church meetings and Sunday School programs. A copier was given to church office in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Ryce Alexander by Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Bryant. Copiers continue to be upgraded and a c omputer has been added.

The church nursery and classrooms have been renovated. The Northwest Correction Center refinished the furniture and Mary Basham painted a Noah’s ark mural on the walls. A new Sunday school class for young adults began. The name of this class is the Faith Class. The church celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2001. A commemorative plague was designed with an ink drawing as it looked in 1976.