HISTORY
In 1927, several members of Mount Zion AME Zion Church organized and became the founding members of Metropolitan Methodist Church. They were: Dr. D, E. Thompson, Andrew and Charity Banks, Flutsie Dacus, John Wesley Dacus, Sr., Nathaniel Dacus, Robert and Mamie Glass, Dennis C. Lewis, Will and Mattie Lowe, Janie Lowe, Bertha McClain, Wilhelmina McClain, Mary Lou Savage, Emanuel and Annie D. Watson, George and Sally Thompson, and Annie Lou Jordan. Dr. Thompson, the principal initiator of this movement, became the first minister for the newly formed congregation that consisted of eighteen members. Shortly after its founding, the church building was erected at 704 West Jeff Davis Avenue.
The congregation worshiped and grew in spirit and membership there until the late 1960s. A notable change occurred in the 1940s. During the 1940s the members of Metropolitan accepted Episcopal government and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church Organization. The church name reflected the change by becoming Metropolitan Methodist Episcopal Church and became a member in the Central Jurisdiction of the Methodist Episcopal Church Organization.
The Central Jurisdiction was the racially segregated jurisdiction of the Methodist Episcopal Church Organization that consisted of African-American member churches and annual conferences wherever they were geographically located in the United States (Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 1996). In 1968, the United Methodist Church was created and the Central Jurisdiction was abolished, ending the racial segregation in the denominational structure. Metropolitan became Metropolitan United Methodist Church and a part of the Alabama West Florida Conference. Along with the changes in society during 1968, the congregation faced an immediate challenge. The church had to move from its original home on West Jeff Davis Avenue due to the construction of Interstate 85. Church members moved to Goode Street School where worship services were held temporarily. The highly spirited and talented members quickly adapted and through stewardship and faithfulness began to make plans for a permanent sanctuary.
In 1971, the property at 3106 Cleveland Avenue (now Rosa L. Parks Avenue) was purchased. The large house that sat on the property served as a sanctuary and later became the educational wing of the building after the present sanctuary was completed in 1975. The Service of Consecration was held on April 27, 1975. Members of Metropolitan United Methodist Church proudly remember our heritage and acknowledge significant milestones and accomplishments.
The building has changed in several significant ways since 1975. In 1985 stained glass windows were added. The steeple was mounted as part of the structure in 1991, and most recently, ramps were added to make the building handicap-accessible.