Learn about our history, help shape our future

Carrollton First Methodist Church was founded in the mid-1820's with members holding services first in homes, then in the county courthouse, and finally, in 1847, in a newly constructed stone edifice at 206 Newnan Street. Over the years, the church improved the facility several times, including the addition of a pipe organ and a parsonage in 1950, an additional balcony, a new Education Building, and Fellowship Hall in 1989, and a reconfiguration of the sanctuary and extensive repairs in the Education Building in 2016. CFMC has expanded its footprint by purchasing adjacent properties as they came available.

Traditionally, CFMC was served by pastors whose tenures lasted two to four years, but more recently, several have stayed longer, including Charles Wilson, Ferrell Drummond, Jimmy Thurman, and Larry Patton. The Reverend Dean Milford was named Pastor Emeritus in 2008. The first female clergy appointed to Carrollton First was Rev. Martha Dye, Associate Pastor from 2001 until 2004. Since then, five other women have been named Associate Pastor. In 2002, Rev. Olga Rodriguez was appointed as the first pastor for the Hispanic congregation.

The church saw its largest participation during the 1990's and early 2000's when total Sunday attendance at three different services averaged 475-500. Growth is largely attributed to the 1994 addition of a contemporary worship service launched by Associate Pastor Tommy Willingham, Youth Director Mark Hopkins, and senior pastor Ferrell Drummond. Originally called "9:45 Alive!" the service included a worship band named Crosswalk, led by Jack Barr and Pat Reynolds. The longest-serving leaders of the congregation were organist Tony Childers and pianist Cheryl Childers who devoted 35 years to leading the music in the two traditional services (1989-2023). During the Covid 19 Pandemic, under the leadership of Rev. Larry Patton, Tony Childers, and the Crosswalk worship band, the congregation continued to worship at a 10:30 AM outdoor service on the grounds of Carrollton Elementary School

In August 2023, the membership of Carrollton First United Methodist Church, following the guidelines of Paragraph 2553 of the UMC Book of Discipline, voted 554-232 to disaffiliate from the UMC. That vote was ratified by the conference Nov. 20, 2023. Because those voting to disaffiliate comprised a 2/3 majority, that part of the congregation retained the property and assets of the church and continues to worship in the sanctuary on Newnan Street as Carrollton First Methodist Church. Those who wanted to remain United Methodists formed a new congregation, the Community First United Methodist Church. The latter is currently meeting in the Community Life Center of More's Chapel United Methodist Church in Carrollton. At present, both Carrollton First Methodist and Community First United Methodist are growing and continuing their mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

NOTE: A more detailed history of Carrollton First Methodist Church is on file in the church office.