The First United Methodist Church in Bartlesville began in 1895 as a branch of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Organized in the home of Josephine Cass Keeler, wife of George Keeler, church members began meeting in a one room frame schoolhouse on North Delaware Street. Three years later, the first church building was erected on the corner of Fourth and Delaware, and was later moved in 1900 to our present location at Fifth and Johnstone. The church membership had outgrown the small building by 1908. Construction began and was completed the following year. In 1927, the addition of an educational building was attached to the east side of the sanctuary along Fifth Street.

 

The present sanctuary was built in 1952 - 1954. The older red brick building remained in place adjacent to the new construction until it was torn down in 1956 and Sneed Chapel was erected. In 1968, the church became the First United Methodist Church when the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church merged worldwide.

 

 

 

 

 Now.......

The newest three-story addition on the south side of the sanctuary was completed in 1987. Offices were moved into this new facility as well as Adult Sunday School classes and Preschool ministries, including a rooftop playground area. Kids First Child Care began in 1988. The sanctuary was renovated and updated in 2001 to include video screens and a larger chancel area. The Dr. Paul Bowles Memorial Organ was purchased and installed in 2007.