History:

The Methodists established the Camp King Mission here in 1844, and by 1850 the mission had grown strong enough financially to support a preacher. A small rectangular wooden building with a steeple and high windows was completed in 1850. In 1889, construction was begun on a red brick building on the comer of what is now SE Ft.King Street and SE 1st Avenue. The church was completed in 1890 and opened as the First Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1946, having outgrown that building, it was voted that a new church and education wing be built; ground was broken in 1951 at the present location on Silver Springs Boulevard. The new buildings were first used on December 7, 1952. The Scout Lodge located on the eastside of the church property was dedicated on November 9, 1958. The campus expanded with the addition of The Rich Education Building, which was consecrated on November 5, 1967, and the Family Life Center, which was consecrated in February 1995.

The last expansions occurred in 2005 and 2006. The church purchased the former Crippen Building on SE 11th Avenue across from the Rich Building and the administrative offices, library, and ministerial staff moved in during September 2005. A member built and donated a building for the youth program. It was opened during March 2006 as the Renfroe Youth Building.

In April 1968, the church was renamed "The First United Methodist Church" to reflect the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church.

The 11:00 am worship service has been televised since 1970 to fulfill the need to reach persons who are homebound, traveling, or unchurched. This service was also carried on the radio from 1957 to the mid-1980's and again during the mid-1990's.

The earliest record of membership is for 1879 when the church had 40 members. By the end of 1909 the Church had a membership of 311. Records show membership in 1930 as 722, in 1952 as 1582, and in 1960 as 2003. Membership as of August 2007 was 1932.