On Sunday, April 1, 1951, the first service was held at 11:00 A.M. in the snackbar of the Garland Road Drive-In Theatre. Mr. and Mrs. James McQuaid, owners of the theatre, were interested from the beginning in helping the new church get started. Newly appointed pastor was George Wayne Martin, a student at Perkins School of Theology at SMU, Dallas.
On August 10, the Board of Stewards was appointed. Their first meeting, with 100% attendance, was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd "Jack" Alsup. Mr. W.P. Garrett, Jr. was elected chairman. It was voted unanimously to name the church "Axe Memorial Methodist". The Herbert W. Axe family of First Methodist Church in Garland, had given a lot on Kingsley Road as a memorial to Mr. Axe's father, C.C. Axe, and his brother Charles, who was killed in combat in Germany in World War II. Financial Aid was given by Highland Park Methodist Church, Dallas. A tent was purchased to hold services on the lot.
On November 8, 1951 a building was purchased from Brooklyn Avenue Methodist Church in Oak Cliff, Dallas. This was placed on the Kingsley Rd. property. Soon after a pre-fab building was purchased from the Garland Independent School District and was converted into an educational building. Rev. Earl E. Harvey succeeded Rev. Martin in May, 1955. Under his leadership plans were made to begin the construction of the master plan for the church. On April 7, 1957 the church moved into the new building which included the sanctuary and classrooms. By April, 1958 the second unit of the permanent building was completed. The church offices were moved into the new building. The old buildings first bought were finally destroyed.
A third classroom unit was opened in October, 1960. More land was purchased on the block in 1962. After the ministries of Rev. Charles E. Fike and Rev. William Penn came Rev. Marvin C. Bledsoe in June, 1965. Under his leadership the church began a financial campaign to build again. The original master plan was changed and a central worship-oriented sanctuary was decided upon. In mid-September, 1968 we moved into our new sanctuary.
Then followed the ministries of the Reverends Henry Lawson, Earl Hoggard, Ira Thompson, John Allen, Bart Smith, Larry Ravert and Michael Nichols. Each pastor brought new ideas and programs to further the life and ministries of the church. But the building program, except for the purchase of a building next to the church, which had been a funeral home, had come to stop.
Under the leadership of Rev. Carl (Corky) McGee, who came to us in 1993, talk about the building campaign of our church once again began to be heard. In 1995, the church made plans to go ahead with the remodeling of our entire church. After much planning and hard work by professionals and church volunteers, on September 17, 1995 we held our first service in the remodeled sanctuary.
Work was then begun on the annex by the same volunteers and professionals. All work was completed on the annex in November, 1996. All the church offices and youth activities were moved from the main building to the annex.
The work on the halls and main building was completed by September, 1997, and the work on the new kitchen and new carpeting in the Fellowship Hall was completed by November, 1997. Throughout these two years the work of the church continued without pause. We now had a completely remodeled church to carry on the Lord's work.
On Sunday, February 22, 1998 a consecration service was held to celebrate the completion of the remodeling projects.
The next two years were filled with interesting and important projects such as starting a Sower's Club and erecting a play ground for the use of the community. This includes basketball courts, soccer field, drinking fountain and a protective fence.
Our church celebrated the beginning of a new century with a special new year's service to meet the the year 2000. After a very busy year, the time came to start planning for a great celebration of the 50th anniversary of Axe Memorial United Methodist Church.
On July 1, 2001 we held a reception for Corky, who would be retiring after his final ministry here. A reception was held for our new minister, Rev. Doyle Henderson on August 5, 2001. During his two years here, Axe joined the Garland Literacy Society and became more involved with mission events. We continued supporting work projects such as "Amigos Day" and our youth remained very active in their work projects and special trips.
The building known as "The Annex" was dedicated as "The McGee Hall" on September 8, 2002 in honor of Rev. Carl M. (Corky) McGee who encouraged us and helped us to remodel and update the building.
On January 11, 2004 we held a farewell reception for Rev. Henderson and Lisa. We received our new minister, Rev. Ben Read and his wife Stella on January 18, 2004. So this is where we are now. We look forward to great and inspiring years ahead. God bless our church and us.