From the Land Run to the bombing, First United Methodist's past is tied to Oklahoma City

First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City's history is interwoven with the history of Oklahoma City in a variety of ways. As the church's congregation seeks help through litigation to end its affiliation with the United Methodist Church, here's a look at the history of "First Church" over the years.

1889

• First Church began on April 28, 1889, as First Methodist Episcopal Church South. This was six days after the Land Run of 1889.

• On June 23, the church was chartered with 17 members.

• In August, church members purchased land at the corner of Fourth and Robinson for the purpose of building a house of worship.

• The congregation's first church building at NW 4 and Robinson was dedicated in October.

1904

• A second church building was built at the same site.

1939

• The church became First Methodist following a union of three branches of Methodism: First Methodist Episcopal Church South, Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Protestant Church. The three denominations merged to become the Methodist Church.

More: First Church-OKC exit case continues with focus on mission, members and mixed messages

1968

The church added "United" to its name after the United Methodist Church was formed via a merger between the Methodist Church and Evangelical Brethren Church.

1982

The Rev. Nick Harris became the church's pastor in February. Harris started a lunchtime Bible study session called "Loaves and Fishes" on Thursdays. It became so popular that he began repeating the lessons on Tuesdays.

1995

• On April 19, the church's sanctuary and an adjacent education building were heavily damaged when a truck bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

• The first Sunday after the bombing, First Church worshiped at Oklahoma City University. The second week after the bombing, church members met at Trinity Baptist Church and the congregation worshipped there for the next three years.

• Heartland Chapel was built on the church's property at the intersection of NW 5 and Robinson. Immediately east of the National Memorial stands the small, open-air chapel. Very soon after the bombing, it became obvious to the pastor of the United Methodist Church at this location that there was a need for a place where friends and family and those visiting the bombing site could sit, pray and contemplate. He put the word out and donations came flowing in, including sizable donations from some local Jewish businesspeople and a local Muslim physician. The chapel's altar was built with bricks from the demolished Federal Building.

1998

• In April, the congregation dedicated a new sanctuary built on what had previously been the church's parking lot. The dedication ceremony included the church's senior pastor Nick Harris and then-Oklahoma United Methodist Bishop Bruce Blake. Dignitaries attending the ceremony included then-Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating and then-Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys. Harris told the crowd that the church was able to build the new $3.75 million sanctuary debt free.

2006

• First Church launches its "Second Wind" outreach in conjunction with the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. The outreach includes a free pancake breakfast on the day of the marathon. Families and other supporters are allowed to watch the marathon on a big-screen TV in the fellowship hall. A a sunrise prayer service at the Survivor Tree on the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum complex is also held on the day of the marathon. A Blessing of the Shoes and Gloves for marathon runners, wheelchair athletes and their families and other supporters is held on the Saturday before the marathon.

SOURCE: First Church, The Oklahoman Archives

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: History of First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City at a glance