Our present Church was erected in 1893 and 1894 under the leadership of Rev. J. M. Jordan with a building committee composed of T. A. Embrey, W. H. Carmack and Dick Taylor At that time, there was a cupola on building which later was replaced with a spire. The first group of Methodist was organized in Winchester about 1825 under the direction of bishop Asbury and the first official record of the Church appeared in the minutes of Quarterly Conference in 1828. In 1825 there was no Methodist Church Building in Winchester and the meetings were held in any place available. Shortly thereafter, the first Methodist Church building was erected on the corner of what is now College Street and Third Avenue N.E. or the place now occupied by Cowser's service station. This building was used until a three story building was erected on the corner of South Jefferson and Second Avenue N.E. or the place now occupied by Sisk' Cleaners . The first floor of this building was used as an Opera House, the second floor was used for the Church and the third floor was used by the Masons and Oddfellows. Since then the membership of the Church has grown from 110 in 1882 to its present membership. As We continued to grow, a Gym was added where walks to Emmaus and Upward sporting events are held.
Senior Pastor: Randall T. Brown:
B.S. Middle Tennessee State University 1980 M.Div. Candler School Of Theology Emory University Atlanta, GA 1982 Additional Studies Beeson Institute for Advanced Church Leadership--Asbury Theological Seminary 2000. Appointments in The United Methodist Church 1978-1980 Promise Circuit 1980-1982 Warm Springs Circuit North Georgia Conference 1982-1984 Associate Pastor Shelbyville First 1984-1987 Bethel and Blackman 1987-1994 Mt. Pleasant First . 1994-2001 First U.M.C. White House, Tn. 2001-2006 Gallatin First U.M.C. 2006 Winchester First U.M.C. He is married to Rachel (Reed) and has two daughters Randa Michelle Brown and Reesa Marie Brown
Minister of Music & Education:
Jon A. Hand holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from a Tennessee Technological University and a Master of Arts in Music Theory and Composition from Middle Tennessee State University. Jon comes to us from 31 years of music teaching, including experience in university, college, secondary, and elementary school teaching. Jon is a native of Winchester FUMC, having been confirmed here, growing up in this church, and singing in the teen choir before going away to college and his teaching career. He is thrilled to be back home in Winchester with his wife of 36 years, Anita, and son Sean, and even more excited to be serving in this capacity in his home church.
Minister of Visitation: J. D. Spencer:
Rev. J.D. Spencer and his wife Bobbie came home to Franklin County to retire in 1993, after serving in pastoral ministry since 1960. Since 2001 he has been Minister of Visitation at First UMC. Their son David is pastor of the Waverly First UMC. ..
Youth Director: Jason Woodall:
Jason is a student of the Center for Youth Ministry Training in Brentwood, TN where he is learning how to better minister to youth. Before coming to Winchester, Jason served as intern/associate youth director in White House, TN for three years. He graduated from Austin Peay State University in 2008 with a degree in Health Education.
Director of Children’s Ministries: Kelly B. Hall:
Kelly graduated from Motlow State Community College in 1994 with an Associates Degree and from Middle Tennessee State University in 2008 with a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies. She has been employed by the Franklin County School system for the past four years. Kelly is married to Brian and has four children, Ashley, Austin, Amanda and Bethany. She has been a member of FUMC Winchester for 7 years and has served as a co-chair children’s coordinator in 2005/2006, Sunday School Teacher 2006 & 2009, VBS Volunteer 2006/2007 and as a member of the SPRC Committee 2008/2010. Kelly and her family reside in Estill Springs, TN.
