History

After the church moved a few times, a local banker and cattleman, J.R. Couts, advanced this church greatly by paying off the buidling that had been erected on Elm Street where Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Home is currently located. Funding the building where his wife attended church greatly helped growing the presence of the Methodist church in this region. The gift he gave was memory of his wife, Martha Couts. In turn the church's trustees changed the church's name from Elm Street Methodist Episcopal Church South to Couts Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

After over sixty years in the same location, the need for a more modern buidling to carry out the mission and ministry of this congregation became evident as the community grew. In 1952 the congregation purchased our current location and unanimously voted to move. In 1952 ground was intially broken for the new facility. In 1954 the congregation moved to the new facility. At this time they worshipped in what is now known as the Fellowship Hall until the Sanctuary was built in 1957. The first worship service in the new sanctuary was held on December 8, 1957.

1977 - Phase 1 of a 3 Phase Plan began with the building of the Couts Family Life Center (Gym)

After a great deal of planning led by the Church Council, the Church embarked on Phase One of the plan which was building the Family Life Center. Through the years there have been many programs and events in the life of the church. One of the largest programs through the years was Jr. League Basketball. Couts partnered with several church in the community to provide a basketball league that focused on learning basketball skills and learning about Jesus. Jr. League Basketball lasted from 1979 until 2023.

During the global pandemic of 2020 ministry had to dramatically pivot to keep this congregation connected. In spite of signficant health challenges, from the generous gift of a donor this church began broadcasting it's weekly worship services and events using the social media platform, Facebook Live. As we look to what we believe to be a fruitful future, we are seeking ways to lead people to Jesus Christ by meeting new people in new places even in spaces that are not physcially in the church building.