The History of Garden City United Methodist Church

The inaugural meeting of Garden City United Methodist Church took place under a revival tent on September 18, 1940. By October of that same year, the congregation began to form, and forty charter members officially joined by January 1, 1941. Reverend J.R. Blackwell served as the first pastor, leading what was then called Memorial Methodist Church, a name chosen to honor loved ones through the building of the church.

Throughout the 1940s, the congregation’s dedication and hands-on work transformed a simple white church among the pines into a spiritual home. The Men’s Club was organized in 1943, and the first educational building, Scott Hall, opened in 1947. A new brick parsonage followed in 1948.

During the 1960s, membership growth led to the construction of the Fred Hooks Educational Building and an expansion of the sanctuary. The 1970s brought interior renovations — including new pews, carpet, stained glass, and a dedicated choir loft. Over the years, members continued to enhance the sanctuary and grounds, adding features such as new furnishings, a baptismal font, upgraded air systems, and memorial stained-glass windows.

In the decades that followed, Garden City UMC continued to grow both spiritually and physically.

A new parsonage was built in 1987, Hooks Hall was refurbished in the 1990s, and the sanctuary was refreshed again in 2000. In 2001, the Mission Walk was established to honor members past and present, followed by new technology upgrades, including computers and an Allen Organ in 2006.

Youth ministry expanded in the 2000s with programs like The Vine and community mission work, while the congregation maintained a strong focus on outreach and service. The church has supported initiatives for homeless families, local missions, and global ministries, living out its call to love God and love others.

Today, Garden City United Methodist Church continues to serve as a place of worship, learning, and belonging — a community grateful for its rich history and committed to its future in faith.