Soon after Coats and Clarks completed the mill village, two ministers, Rev. Blake Craft and Rev. Bob Smith held a community tent revival in September of 1933. This revival led to the founding of a community church led by the two ministers. The church met in the local Community House with the Methodist and Baptist congregations worshipping together. The Methodist pastor led services on the first and third Sundays and the Baptist pastor on the second and fourth Sundays. Occasionally a fifth Sunday Sing was held for the two congregations. 

In May of 1945, the Clarkdale Methodists were given a permit to erect a church on the Coats and Clark property. Rev. Dan Brewster and the church stewards, W.G. Strickland, Gay Shelnutt, Euel McClung, James McPherson, Herbert Van Dyke, Mattie Laughridge, and Waits Laughridge provided the leadership needed to construct the church. On January 4, 1948, Clarkdale United Methodist held their first  worship service in the new sanctuary. 

Clarkdale United Methodist Church's history has been intertwined with the Clarkdale community over the past eighty years. Many members of the community have memories of participating in youth group activities and playing on the church's softball teams. The church has served as a place of fellowship and worship for its members since its beginning in 1933. 

If Clarkdale Methodist has been a part of your life and you would like to share your memories, stories, or thoughts, please post them as part of our living history.