The Rev. William E. Bates organized the First Methodist Church of Denton in 1857, the same year the town of Denton was formed. Services were conducted in the log courthouse until the Masonic lodge of Denton constructed a 2-story building in 1859. It served as a school and meeting hall and was used by all the area churches. In 1873 the Methodist congregation built their first meeting house, which was a white frame church with a steeple and bell. Funds for a red brick sanctuary built in 1899 were raised in part at a revival conducted by evangelist Abe Mulkey. By 1907 the congregation of more than 600 members had outgrown its sanctuary, but another building was not constructed until 1925 when a new church building with a seating capacity of 2,400 was completed. An education building was added in 1951, and other renovations have taken place over the years. Many prominent citizens of Denton have been members of this church which has provided a variety of programs for the congregation and has supported local and foreign missions. It has served the community through several social outreach activities and continues to be an integral part of the Denton area. (1996)