Newton United Methodist Church was first organized in 1865 and was made a part of the Garlandville Circuit. The preaching was done in an old hospital building and later in an old store building that was once the site of the TWL store in Newton. A Sunday school for all residents of Newton was also held there.

The first church, dedicated by Bishop Robert Paine and known as Episcopal Methodist Church, was built in 1867 on the corner of what is now East Church and Decatur streets and consisted of one room. For the next 90 years, Newton Methodists attended worship services at this location. The church was dedicated in 1868 and was repaired in 1893 and a larger steeple was added. However, that building was destroyed by fire in 1899.

The membership began to plan to build a larger one-room edifice. On July 13, 1899, the cornerstone for the new building, valued at $4,000, was laid. That structure served the congregation for the next six decades, but as the number of worshipers grew, the need for an expansion became apparent.

On Sunday, April 17, 1962, ground was broken for a new $160,000 sanctuary and educational building located on the present site. The construction took less than eight months and the formal opening of the new building, which can seat 500, was held on Sunday morning Dec. 2, 1962.

Current Pastor Gary Howse is the latest of 53 pastors who have served NUMC since its organization in Newton in 1865. The church has started a number of missions including a clothes closet, the Priscilla Stitchers sewing club that sends clothes to needy children in Costa Rica; Flood Buckets prepared for UMCOR to serve storm victims; Casserole Ministry; Angels Calling, which provides fruit baskets to shut-ins at Christmas time; Wheels of Love, which provides transportation; Imagine No Malaria, which provides mosquito nets for malaria-stricken areas; and many others.

About the church:

Name: Newton United Methodist Church.

Pastor: Gary Howse – Three years.

Denomination: United Methodist.

Founded: 1865.

Address: 600 Decatur St., Newton, MS. 39345.

Members: 150.

Contact info: newtonchurch@bellsouth.net or 601-683-3756.

Service Times:

Sunday School – 10 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship – 11 a.m.

Sunday Evening Bible Study – 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday night fellowship – 6 p.m.

Special upcoming events:

Create-A-Card Night hosted by R.A.C.K. Pack- Super salad bar and dessert served. All ladies welcome. Participants will create greeting cards to be used for church outreach.

Annual event special to your church:

The annual Christmas Live Drive-Through Nativity. Volunteers from NUMC and the surrounding churches participate in live scenes depicting different events surrounding the birth of Jesus.

Cheryl Owens coordinates Worship Site Profile. Recommend your site to cowens@themeridianstar.com.