OUR STAINED GLASS ART TREASURE

Among the art treasures of Sarasota are the stained glass windows of First Church
and the windows of the Chapel.

Sanctuary

      The exquisite works of art that grace the sanctuary windows were created by the world famous stained glass artist, Mr.. Arthur Erridge of Exeter, England. They portray the life of Christ in the deep, rich colors of old stained glass found in the manor houses of England. The 14 windows along the sanctuary lead one through the life of Christ reaching a climax at the glorious Great Commission window at the front of the Church

Chapel

As the historic stained glass windows of the sanctuary portray the rich history of the faith, the modern windows in the Chapel remind us of the calling we each have to be servants of the Lord. These windows created in bright, sparkling colors by the White Stained Glass Studios in 1983, speak of the many vocations the people of God fulfill in their faithful living. Symbols such as the carpenter's hammer or the farmer's plow, the nurse's cap and the mason's trowel, lace through these windows and all the Biblical images present in them. They remind us that whatever walk of life may be our calling, we can still be a servant of God.

First Church Paralles the History of Sarasota

We were the very first church in the village of Sarasota, Florida, organized as the Methodist Episcopal Church South in October of 1891.

As the only Sarasota organization in existence today that existed in 1891, the First United Methodist Church parallels and represents the history of Sarasota.

The first services were held in a little school building on Main Street with the Reverend E. F. Gates, a horseback riding circuit-rider, as the first pastor. Then, the Reverend Will Tresca was sent to formally organize the Church. He gathered 12 members in a Main Street storeroom for the signing of the charter. That property, where Patrick's Restaurant is located today, on the corner of Pineapple Avenue and Main Street at Five Points was purchased for a price of $40. That first building looked more like a barn than a church.

In 1914, the Church moved across the street to its present location at 104 S. Pineapple into an imposing brick building with six large columns.

First Church struggled through both the prosperity of the Florida real estate boom and then the bust of the Depression. But through many trials the congregation survived.

Finally, First Church began to grow rapidly during the years following World War II, especially during the leadership of a young Pastor by the name of Dr. George Foster. Soon there was the need for a new Sanctuary. In 1953-1954, services were held at the city auditorium caused by overcrowding the old small sanctuary. So Reverend A. A. Koestline became instrumental in raising funds and making plans for the present day sanctuary.

On Christmas Day, 1955, services were held in the present beautiful colonial sanctuary, with the mortgage burned in a mere five years.

A new Education Building (with its Fellowship Hall,) was built in 1970, then a new office complex and youth hall in 1983 in main structure. First Church is now in the midst of a long term renovation of its historic buildings, preparing for yet another century of ministry.