Centenarian helps First UMC, Frisco, break ground for sanctuary

BY DR. JOAN GRAY LABARR
Editor

Ruth Borchardt had a century of experience behind her as she turned over the first shovel full of earth for the Feb. 25 sanctuary groundbreaking service at First UMC, Frisco.

The centenarian, who joined the church in 1918, wielded the shovel from her wheelchair, starting a festive series of shoveling as one group after another took their turns at breaking ground.

NTC Provost Rev. Jim Dorff preached for the celebrative service prior to the groundbreaking. A capacity congregation filled the Family Life Center, which is functioning as the worship space until the sanctuary is complete.

Rev. Dorff joked that he doesn't usually have sermon titles, but if he had to come up with one for the occasion, it would be "Ready, Set, Go."

"First Church, Frisco, it is time. It is your time. It's not your only time, and it won't be the last time. We are going to go today -- and in the future," he said.

"So many of you have worked so hard and so long to come to this day in the life of the church. You are ready. We are going to break ground on this day of worship," Rev. Dorff continued. He emphasized that just as Jesus went out with the disciples and told them to go and make disciples of all people, promising that God's Spirit would be with them on the journey, so "The Spirit will be with you as you go."

Nashville singer-songwriter Celia Whitler, a long-time friend of Rev. Doug Miller, First UMC, Frisco, pastor, joined him for a special children's time and shared her gift of music during the worship and service of breaking ground.

 "This has been a long time dream of the church," said Taylor Hansel, Building Committee Chair and longtime Frisco resident. "The members have worked hard to make the dream a reality, from recently acquiring an extra 3.4 acres on Preston Road, thus creating a 10.5-acre campus, to faithfully pledging full support of this great undertaking. As the oldest church in Collin County, we are continuing a 159-year heritage," Hansel said.

Rev. Miller explained that the $4.4 million sanctuary project, which includes a 33,000 sq. ft. building featuring an 800-seat sanctuary, is the first phase of a master plan that will eventually include an even larger sanctuary, an education building, and a celebration center.

"It is as much for others as it is for us," said Rev. Miller.

"This sacred space will provide a place to worship our Savior and the God of all creation, to fellowship among the Body of Christ, to study and make disciples, to minister to others, and to gather as a caring family of faith. We break ground because we are focused on Touching Tomorrow Together for Jesus Christ," Rev. Miller concluded.

First UMC, Frisco, began with five members in July 1848, as Bethel Church, with Rev. Joab Biggs as its pastor. The first church land was near the Bethel Cemetery, north of where the Warren Sports Complex now stands. In 1850, William Rogers donated two acres of land for the first building -- a 16 ft. by 24 ft. log cabin with dirt floors and pews made of split logs.

The next building was started in 1859, but a storm blew the structure down before it could be completed. When the 30 ft. by 40 ft. structure was finally built, it functioned as the church building until 1882 when a school building was given to the church. That building was used for services until 1902.

The big move came in 1902 when the congregation voted to move to the newly formed community of Frisco and bought two lots near the current Oak and Sixth Streets. They voted to change the name to Frisco Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Rev. Ira Kiker started a campaign to build a more permanent structure in 1914 and a groundbreaking for the first brick building was held in March 1915. The domed structure was finished four months later.

A devastating fire in 1941 destroyed everything but the outer walls. With money previously donated for an education building, insurance, and member donations, the church was rebuilt without the dome. World War II building supply restrictions made the task doubly challenging.

In 1978 Rev. Don Underwood led the congregation in the purchase of 7.17 acres of land at 7659 Preston Road. Groundbreaking for the new church came on Jan. 10, 1982, when Rev. Boyd Sawyer was pastor. The building was completed in eight months, and Bishop John Russell and District Superintendent Rev. H. Noel Bryant led the Aug. 22, 1982 consecration. The Family Life Center was completed in 1991 and later expanded in 1994.

Another important church structure is the Bell Memorial, built in 1994 and dedicated to the memory of the late Shaun Guier, son of Kathy and former pastor Rev. Marvin Guier. Dr. Guier now serves as NTC Director of Administration/Treasurer.

The family of the late Robert Elliott added another place of beauty in 2004 when they built and landscaped a prayer garden in his name.

For more information on First UMC, Frisco, and its ministries, call 972-335-4380 or visit www.friscofumc.org.