The Methodist Church in McKenzie, TN was organized in 1867, in a log schoolhouse on the northwest corner of what is now Stonewall and Magnolia streets. In 1870, the pastor called attention to the fact that a church building was a necessity, as the congregation had outgrown the schoolhouse and had moved to the Masonic Hall for church services. Money was hard to get, and the building of the church did not begin until 1873. At this time, construction of a church building began on the site of our present building.

By September 1873, the first First Methodist Church building was a shell with only the walls and roof standing, but with rejoicing by the pastor and people. They sat on planks that were resting on blocks of wood.

The pastor organized a Sunday school, a first in McKenzie, with 105 teachers and pupils. In 1880, the church, for the first time, was out of debt and the pastor's salary of $300.00 was paid in full.

 Women and children's activities began in 1887.

The McTyeire School, located across the street from our church, played an important part in the life of our church. The school provided a high level of education and had high ethical standards for professors and the several hundred young men and women who were educated there.

In 1910, extensive improvements on the church building began and a new sanctuary facing south was annexed to the old walls. The first service in the new sanctuary was held June 4, 1911. The Memphis Annual Conference met in our church in November 1921, the only time our church has been honored with the hosting of Annual Conference. In 1924, a $3,000.00 Mahler Pipe Organ was purchased, the first organ in McKenzie. In 1934, the church annex was buiilt, consisting of a basement with a fellowship hall, kitchen, and two floors of Sunday school classrooms. The sanctuary was enlarged on the north side. In 1956, a two-story building was added to the east end of the annex, adding more classroom space and a large youth center. This addition is part of the present church structure. The present parsonage was built in 1964.

In 1972, a building program was approved, and the last worship service in the old sanctuary was October 15, 1972. On April 14, 1974, the congregation held the first service in the new building. The sanctuary was filled at the two services, and it was an appropriate way to celebrate Easter Sunday, with a beautiful building dedicated to the Lord's work in our town. We have been blessed with a rich and wonderful heritage.

Drawings of our earlier church buildings are in the hallway across from the church office. McTyeire Day was celebrated June 14, 1992, when several former McTyeire students were present for the unveiling of the McTyeire School Historical Marker awarded to our church at Annual Conference on June 2, 1992.