A Brief History of East Highland United Methodist Church

The East Highland Methodist Episcopal Church - South, as it was known before the 1939 re-unification of our denomination, became East Highland United Methodist Church in 1968 following the uniting of the Methodist Church and the United Brethren Church. Its roots can be traced to April 23rd, 1889, when it was first organized. East Highland has continually occupied the same location, the first deed having been filed May 21st, 1891 and recorded on June 2nd, 1891 showing the property to be at the corner of 17th Street and 13th Avenue in the area known as East Highlands.

Bishop Joseph Stanton, a Georgia Bishop of the Methodist Church, served East Highland in its infancy until a Pastor could be appointed. Records indicate that the Reverend John G. Harrison was the first "officially appointed" Shepherd to the East Highland flock.

The first congregation began as a small "mission" church with twenty Charter Members. The following served as the first East Highland Trustees; Messrs W.F. Tigner; M.E. Grage; C.H. Herring; Rufus Jones; G.J. Peacock; A.H. Gibson and E. Phillips.

The original building, a photograph of which is on display in the present-day church, was a one room, white-framed structure whose main entrance faced 13th Avenue. In 1908, architects were commissioned to draw the plans for a much-needed new building, which also was to face 13th Avenue. All legal transactions were executed through the Muscogee Real Estate Company. The site of the church at that time was regarded as being "near to the City Of Columbus."

In 1910, a complete renovation was undertaken. The church building was brick veneered and a number of rooms were added. Close examination on the 13th Avenue-side of the building reveals a portion of the 1910 structure still in use today.

In 1927, during the Pastorate of the Reverend G.N. Rainey, the present Sanctuary was erected. It was dedicated in October 1927 by Dr. T.D. Ellis, Secretary of the Board of Church Extension.

In 1927, also, stained glass windows were installed, the first of which was dedicated in honor of Charlie Wesley Trussell, a church member since 1902. Other windows honor the seven young men and women who have entered the ministry from East Highland. In a 1948 expansion program, a two story, brick unit was added for use by the Christian Education Department.

On Sunday, December 13th 1953, a ground-breaking ceremony was held in the Morningside community of Columbus to establish Striplin Terrace Methodist Church. This new church, established while the Reverend Leland Moore was Pastor, was a "mission" church for East Highland. Brother Moore served as Pastor of both churches until the Reverend Emmett Davis of Emory Theological Seminary was appointed as first Pastor of the fledgling mission.

In 1961, a house on the east side of the church was torn down to provide more parking space. In 1965, a complete renovation was undertaken of the interior of the church; and the exterior was painted white, covering the red brick, which had remained since 1927. The first parsonage was built in 1898. In 1949, a red brick house was purchased at 2721 18th Avenue and was dedicated in 1951. Then in 1964, the present day Parsonage was built at 2901 18th Avenue.

In 1998, during the pastorate of the Reverend Dan Gates, major renovations were completed. The entire outside of the building was painted a soft beige with white trim. The inside of the Sanctuary was painted the same color scheme and new carpet was installed for the first time since 1957. A Carillon was added, along with new roofing and a Security Camera for the parking area. All this at a cost of more than $40,000 and not one penny of debt.

Then in the year 2000, a new Fellowship Hall was dedicated and opened. Once again, even though it was built at a cost of more than $370,000, not one penny of debt was incurred. God's miracles through the giving of His people has become legendary.

Year after year, East Highland has ... by the grace of God ... seen people saved, lives changed and the spiritual hopes and dreams of her members come true. In the three years from 1998 to 2001, five men entered the ministry and through a program called Mid-Week Outreach, more than $20,000 was sent to missions through a $2.00 lunch. Amazing!

In its century-plus service in the Name of Jesus, East Highland United Methodist Church has had a distinctive and blessed history. Those who come in later years have been left a wonderful legacy by God-fearing, prayerful saints of God. The challenge to us all is to ... continue in the faith.

"We're not fancy! We're just folks!"

That's one of the blessings of East Highland. Like everyone else, we're in the struggles of life; not enough money, too many bills, concern for our childen, health and the future. The difference is that at East Highland we're a "family"! That means we're in the struggle ... together!

For nineteen years, I was blessed to serve as the Pastor of this wonderful community church. In that time I saw God do more marvelous things than I could count. People have been saved, lives have been changed and the future looks brighter than ever before.

If you're seeking a church to call "home," I believe you've found it! The place is called East Highland United Methodist Church.

Come visit us! You'll be blessed!