| The First United Methodist Church of Randleman came into existence on January 12, 1944 as the result of a ballot cast on January 2, 1944 at Naomi Church and at St. Paul Church on January 9, 1944. |
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The Conference merging the two churches was held on January 12, 1944. A building committee composed of G.P. Upton, Walter Gibson, Ernest Talley, A. B. Beasley, M. F. Hinshaw, Mrs. A. B. Freeman, Mrs. W. F. Matthews, E. W. Freeze, Jr., Dr. C. D. Kistler, and Dr. T. L. Helms was appointed to carry out the plans for a new church building to serve the consolidated congregation of St. Paul and Naomi Churches. |
| The present sanctuary is located on the site of the old Ingold Hotel on South Main Street. Nearby, in a house, the first St. Paul Sunday School was organized by David R. Caudle in the year 1855. That same year a Methodist minister named Tinnin came to town and helped to organize a Methodist Church. For some time the church met in the old Bloomfield Schoolhouse, then the land on which St. Paul Church now stands was donated for a church building and a wood structure was erected there at a cost of $500.00. The church was given the name St. Paul by Dr. N. F. Reid, one of the charter members. |
| In 1878, Mr. John B. Randleman and Mr. John H. Ferree contributed money to build a more elaborate church, and the present St. Paul building, the first brick sanctuary in Randolph County, was completed in 1879 at a cost of $4,000.00. |
| It was under the direction of Rev. Amos Gregson in 1883 that Naomi Methodist Church was organized. A site was given for the church and a white frame building was erected on Naomi Street. That building was used until 1903 when a new white frame building was erected on the corner of Naomi and Neal Streets. The building was torn down a few years ago. |
| Naomi and St. Paul Churches were on the same Methodist Charge, served by the same minister, and the first pastor to serve both congregations was the Rev. S. M. Bumpass. |
| The present First United Methodist Building on South Main Street was completed and occupied in June, 1948 during the ministry of Rev. S. M. Needham. The official opening service was held on July 11, 1948. Rev. A. J. Clemmer succeeded Rev. Needham serving four years. He was succeeded by Rev. Sherrill Biggers, and it was during the ministry of Rev. Biggers that all indebtedness was paid and the church was dedicated. Bishop Costen B. Harrell, presiding bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference at that time, dedicated the church building in November 1955. |
| Other ministers who have served the church since that time are Rev. W. A. Rock, Rev. T. G. Madison, Rev. Harry Long, Rev. LeRoy A. Scott, Rev. Raymond J. Hahn, Rev. Benny T. Myers, Rev. Frank A. Jeffers, Rev. Timothy H. Smith, Dr. Steven K. Rainey, and Rev. Stephen T. Johnson, Rev. Kyle Thompson, and Martha Buff Welch is presently serving as the pastor at FUMC Randleman. |
First United Methodist Church, Randleman celebrated the150th anniversary
of the Church on October 30, 2005. The guest speaker was Reverend
Timothy H. Smith. Pictured here with his wife, Beverly. |
 Special music was provided by the First UMC
Church Choir, a Quartette, and the Smiths. |
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 A
covered dish dinner followed the service in the fellowship hall. |
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St. Paul's Church/Museum was open for the special occasion:    Click on the pictures to enlarge the photos. |