Genesis Church History.
Old & New.
In the summer of 1941, Harry Denman attended an evangelist school at Mount Sequoyah Assembly. The 150 men attending were committed to taking the Gospel to the community. In June of that year, from the tents of a revival on the corner of Church and South, grew the first members of what would become known as Wiggins Memorial United Methodist Church. Wiggins church joyfully served its community for over 73 years, being famous for meals that brought the community together.
In 2013 after many years of worship and service, Wiggins was faced with the reality that they would have to close their doors. They decided the best way to honor the saints before them and maintain their original mission was to transfer the staff and assets to another church. Central United Methodist Church, located on Dickson Street, saw an opportunity to expand its ministry and began the renovations on what would become its new satellite church. Wiggins held their last official service on the last Sunday of April 2014.
On the first Sunday of May, 2014 a new community gathered together in the Fellowship Hall under the leadership of Pastor Jody Farrell with a renewed vision to reach out to the community. We embraced the name Genesis Church to signify that we were a new beginning for the church and our message was offering people a new beginning for their lives.
Since then, Genesis Church has become a unique expression of the Kingdom of God. Committed to living the Gospel in community, it is a place for new beginnings. Any day of the week you will find the church bustling with activities from lifting people out of poverty to guiding people to recovery from addictions. Through active partnerships with other stake holders in the city, Genesis Church has become an integral part of the community and a witness of God’s care and concern for the world.
In March 2023, Genesis Church was blessed with independence by Central United Methodist Church and deeded our property on 205 W MLK Blvd for $1. We are now a non-denominational elder-led fellowship with a vision to invite our neighbors to be transformed into the image of Christ through the radical love of God.
