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October 24, 2009

Poplar Springs Drive UMC celebrates anniversary

Anonymous The Meridian Star Sat Oct 24, 2009, 12:29 AM CDT

By Bobby Sims

Special to the Star.

Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist church will celebrate 125 years of ministry on November 1.

Plans for the day: Gathering time and visiting at 9 a.m., morning worship at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Sam Morris as guest minister, lunch at noon and at 2 p.m. singing, recognition and recollections in the sanctuary.

That's a full day.

Poplar Springs Drive U.M.C. was organized on November 1884 with the seven charter members at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Barker which was located on the present site of Heritage Apartments. Reverend R.F. Witt served as advisor.

During the first 12 years of the new church membership increased and they met at Poplar Springs school. In 1896, a church was built on a plot of land donated by M.L. Vinson. The site was on the north side of what is now 40th Street.

Under the parsonage of Reverend Harvey Mellerd the first church was built as a one story frame building with a stove for heat and oil burning lamps for light. In 1909, following a prayer service the building burned completely destroying all contents and the building. The was no insurance to cover the loss.

The morning after the devastating fire, W.A. Barker raised $500 to be used to build a new church. In June of that year, two pieces of property south of what is now 40th street were purchased for a new church site. A new church building was built in less than five months and the first service was held on November 21, 1909. Dr. I.L. Peebles was pastor.

In January 1951, a ground breaking ceremony was held for the building of a new sanctuary. Construction was started almost immediately and the first worship service in the new sanctuary was held October 7, 1951.

Poplar Springs Drive U.M.C. continues to grow and expand with the addition of a new education building on the south of the sanctuary in 1956. Then, in 1967, the west educational wing was added, replacing the old church which had been used for Sunday School classes.

In 1998, a new activity center was completed at a cost exceeding one million dollars. In 2005, the Repair The Foundation campaign had begun which included the renovation of the sanctuary, the south and west educational wings, new quarters for the daycare center and new offices and work space for the church staff. Also, a storage building was erected and the back parking lot was re-sealed and striped. The RTF campaign was completed in November 2006.

Celebration Sunday, November 1 will commemorate the long history and growth of Poplar Springs U.M.C. Rob Gill, the church pastor said, "All present, past or future members are invited and urged to take part in the celebration on that special say."

To make reservations for the noon meal on November 1, please call (601)485-5598.

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