History

The Free Methodist movement began in Fenton in 1919.  Reverend A. E. Warren, the district elder, organized the society.  Meetings were first held in a store building on Leroy Street, then in the home of William McAllister, and later in the home of Julia Tryson.

The church at Shiawasee and South East Streets was built during the pastorate of Reverend N. M. Cooke.  It was dedicated on July 22, 1923, by Bishop D. S. Warner.  The church pastor was Ira C. Grabill who also served the Linden church.

The society has owned four parsonages in Fenton.  The first was back of the church on Shiawasee Street, which was sold to Reverend W. Hoyt.  The second was on Walnut Street.  The third was at 105 Elizabeth Street, and the present at 807 North Road.

The congregation outgrew the Shiawassee Street church in the early sixties and purchased property on the corner of North Road and Oark Park Drive.  The ground breaking ceremony was held on June 19, 1962.  The church was bult under the pastorate of Reverend Wesley K. Scott.

The first Sunday service was held in the new church in April 19, 1964 with Reverend Wesley Scott presiding.

Pastors that have served the Fenton Free Methodist Church:

Ira Grabill - 1919
U. B. Cleveland - 1920
N. M. Cooke - 1922
R. E. Smith - 1923
J. H. McMillan - 1925
S. R. Whims - 1928
S. W. Stone - 1930
L. A. Scofield - 1932
Harry Hosmer - 1935
E. R. Morningstar - 1939
C. B. Loree - 1941
Floyd McCallum - 1942
H. E. Leininger - 1945
Henry W. Powell - 1950
C. A. VanHorn - 1955
A. D. Hockaday - 1957
Ray Shaw - 1960
Wesley K. Scott - 1961
Charles Karafa - 1965
Ray Bedtelyon - 1969
Doyle C. Dennings - 1970
Wayne Kenney - 1975
Lynn E. Myers - 1978
Donald Stanton - 1984
Daniel Thomas - 1987
Kenneth Rowe - 1991
Phillip Ward - 1998
Steve Schwartz - 2001
Dale Kessler - 2002
Charles N. Hubbert - 2006