History: As Early as 1832, itinerant Methodist preachers, known as "Circuit Riders" were appointed from the Tallahassee District to serve the people of south central Georgia. In 1845, the conference appointed circuit riders to serve a new church in Troupville, GA, a few miles west of present day Valdosta. 1859 was the coming of the Savannah Railway to Valdosta. At that time, many of Troupville's citizens and the churches moved into Valdosta.
At first, church was held in the county courthouse and the Masonic lodge, and the congregation was served by circuit riders. The first time that FUMC is mentioned in the conference minutes was 1861. In that year, Rev. Samuel E. Randolph was named pastor of the circuit of which Valdosta Methodist Episcopal Church - South was part.
In 1866, the first wooden structure church was built by the membership. Circuit Riders continued to shepherd the Methodist congration until 1882.
In 1890, the two lots on the corner of Patterson and Valley Streets were purchased for $1500.00. On November 24, 1894, the cornerstone was laid for what was to become an impressive brick structure. By 1896, the building was large enough to host the South Georgia Annual Conference. From that time until 1980, the annual conference was held in the Valdosta church.
In February of 1904, fire consumed most of the structure. Approximately one year later, a new church building had been erected and was re-dedicated. The building has gone through several remodelings over the years. The Strictland building, west of the main building, was built to house offices and Sunday School Classes. Later, west of the Strickland building, the Fellowship Hall was built for additional Sunday school space and an open area that is used for church dinners, receptions, and for other special occasions.
First United Methodist Church has been the hub of Methodism in South Georgia. More than a dozen Methodist churches have been formed with the efforts of the pastors and membership of this church. Also over the years, several young people from this church have become ordained Methodist ministers.
