About Our Church
The United Methodist Church Overview
The United Methodist Church was founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The UMC's roots can be traced back to the revival movement of John & Charles Wesley within the Church of England.
A History of The United Methodist of Phillips
1895: Church building completed at a cost of $2,400. The tower was 60 feet high.
1922: The parsonage was built from lumber salvaged from a hotel that had been dismantled in Medford.
1938: Lightning damaged the steeple, & it had to be taken down, but the four-pointed crown remained.
1953: Hawkins church was added to the charge.
1958: Parsonage garage built.
1961-62: An enclosed front porch was added to the Parsonage.
1972: A two-car garage replaced the former one, 10 feet of land bordering the UMC of Phillips was purchased for a potential parking lot.
1975: More land was purchased adjacent to the church for a parking lot.
1977: On July 4 of this year what became later known as the "Downburst" hit the Phillips area causing an estimated $25 million in damages. Note that downbursts are created by an area of significantly rain-cooled air that, after reaching ground level, spreads out in all directions producing strong winds. Responding to the need for help, the Red Cross set up a food service at the UMC of Phillips where two mobile units delivered sandwiches, cold drinks, & coffee to workers in a 10-mile radius three times a day from Tuesday through Saturday. Also, food & drink was served to people coming to the church seeking shelter. In all, 615 gallons of cold drinks & 179 gallons of coffee were served to 2,145 people. The Red Cross thanked the UMC of Phillips for their "fine facilities." Damage to church property: garage destroyed, window panes in church & parsonage broken from rain/hail damage, nearly all shingles were off parsonage & church, water damage to church entry ceiling-insurance covered almost all labor & materials which the church was very thankful for.
June 29, 2014: After many years of being yoked with the United Methodist Church in Hawkins, the final worship service at Hawkins was celebrated as the declining congregation sadly voted to close their doors after 101 years of ministry.
July 26, 2020: Phillips United Methodist Church celebrated the 125th anniversary.