Our History

Samuel Tomlinson started a Sunday School class in a railroad box car. This led to the purchase of land and the formation of the 25th Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church.

A fire damaged the church, leading to the purchase of new property at the corner of 24th Avenue and 15th Street. Service began in the new location in October 1913.

The newly constructed Education Building on the corner of 15th Street and 23rd Avenue was dedicated in September 1965.

Hurricane Camille made landfall on the Gulf Coast in August 1969, causing flooding, roof and window damage for the Sanctuary building, with less damage to the education building. Repairs to both were completed in the summer of 1970.

The church’s TV ministry was launched, offering a one-week delayed broadcast

A United Methodist Men’s group was officially formed and still meets and serves the community today.

Renovations to the sanctuary building were completed and celebrated on Palm Sunday in March 1988 as part of the church’s 75th Anniversary.

The church embarked on a decades-long focus on mission trips to Honduras,
Mexico and Costa Rica with a focus on medical and dental care and building projects. The last trip was in the Fall of 2019.

Hurricane Katrina came ashore on August 29 and brought damaging flood water and wind to both buildings. The Sunday after the storm, the church opened for a communion worship service in the sanctuary.

FUMC partnered with the Red Cross to open cold weather shelters in downtown
buildings to host unhoused people during freezing temperatures. These were staffed by
volunteers from the church and the Red Cross until the spring of 2009, when the
Salvation Army’s new center in Gulfport was opened.

The education fellowship hall was renovated to accommodate a contemporary worship service, “The Gathering.”

FUMC Gulfport upgraded its TV ministry capabilities and began offering livestream worship during the pandemic.

FUMC Gulfport partnered with West Elementary School to provide support for teachers, school administrators, and students. We distribute 125 bags of food for weekend meals per week.

We launched Home Under the Dome, a ministry for people impacted by dementia and other cognitive decline.