History

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, acquired a plot of ground near the present Hemphill School complex and built a meeting. This meeting house served Methodists of Hemphill and the surrounding area until 1922 when a new, two story, white frame church was erected.

In 1966 the present brick church was built, designed by Mrs. J.O. Toole. The new church was consecrated in 1966 and dedicated in 1973. As Hemphill grew, so did the church and by 1978 there was a need for additional classrooms and fellowship spaces. An addition was designed, built, paid in full, and ready for consecration and dedication on April 29, 1979. In 1985 this addition was named in a special service, the Parker Elliot Fellowship Hall, in honor of longtime members of the church, Tom and Nan Parker and Von and Minnie Elliot.

In October, 1982 the church observed its 100th Anniversary with a Centennial Celebration.

A new church school addition was added in 1989. This win was made possible through the generosity of church members and donated labor. It was dedicated on October 29, 1989.

Additional property was purchased in 2010, cleared and improved so as to be available for future development.

Hemphill First United Methodist Church has played a strong role in the History of this East Texas community and stands as the fulfillment of a dream held by the congregations of many years.