On March 11, 1840, a group worshiping In an "upper room of the comer house on Yellow Row" (now Ninth Street) was organized In Laurel In the name of The Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1842, The Laurel Mill Company, established by the Snowden Family, presented a "gift of stone and a grant of land" to those early Methodists as a site for their first meeting house.

In recent years the chancel area has been changed; air conditioning installed in the sanctuary and the floor replaced; and facilities for the disabled provided.

Further expansion of the Sanctuary and education wing began with a ground breaking ceremony on April 25, 1999.

On Sunday, February 18, 2001, First UMC celebrated the completion of the newly renovated Sanctuary with a worship service.