In the year 1956 the Methodist Board of Church Extension of the Joplin District agreed that a Methodist Church was needed in the Southeast part of Joplin to accomodate the families in that area. Thereby land on East 20th Street was purchased for that purpose.
Rev: Brashear contacted a few peopole to help by holding worship services in their homes while waiting for the new building. It was soon decided to rent facilities at the Y.M.C.A using their chapel for worship services. Rev:Kenneth Diel was assigned the pastor at that time.
The opening service in the new building on 20th street was held in 1958 being directed by the Joplin District superintendent Rev: L.N.Starkey with Bishop Eugene Frank doing the preaching. The church was filled to overflowing.so that chairs was placed on the lawn and a public address system was placed outside so the people could hear
At this meeting Bishhop Frank appointed Gene Conally as the first pstor in the new building. Gene, who did not finnish the year, was replaced by Rev: J.Harmon Holt who completed the enlisting of charter members by October 29,1958 All of these charter members are either deceased on moved from the Joplin area.
The church was sponsored by the Methodist Board of Extension of the Joplin District with Carley Thompson of Neosho- President: Frank Nichole of Southwest City Vice President: Paul Carnaham of Diamond:-Secretary,and Gale Grahm of Joplin: Treasurer.
The exacutiv committee who promoted the building consisted of Rev; Starkey, Chairman, Corley Thompson, Vice Chairman, Gale Grahm, Grant Potter, John Alexander, William NMorman, Rev: Dr. W.W. Yoder, pastor of First Churchk and Rev; George Soarling, pastor of the Byers Avenue Methoist Church.
After the church was about a year old, it was decided to merge the church with that of Grace Methodist which was located just west of main street. St, James had a membershiop of around 90 while Grace's membership was about 50.Grace was more than 60 years old but had a new chapel which was only two or three old which was moved on the St.James property to be used for the Worship services using the St,James building for Church School and Fellowship Hall. Both pastors, J.Harmon Holt of St,James and Edwin L. Baker of Grace served the congregations each until Easter, meeting in their own building until May 1,1959 when Rev: Stakey combined the two in a special meeting where he did the preaching and the issuingof the chater membership.
The Annual Conference was held at First Church May25,1959. Rev: Holt was appointed pastor of the new Church.
Assets of both churches were combined
In 1969 under the leadership of Dennis Craft an educational building was built on the west side of the fellowship hall
In 1996 a new 250 seat Sanctuary was constructed on the south of the fellowship hall under the co-leadership of Pastor George wade and Steward Jim Gerken
The 2600 square yard parking lot was blacktopped in the summer of 1999
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In January 2002 the church deeded property to the Southwest District to build a District Center leaving the church with 3 acers (of grass to cut)
We invite you to become a part of the church today and a piece of its history tomorrow.
