June 30, 2015 - First United Methodist Church of Center was the recipient of the Shelby Beautiful Clean Community Beautification Award on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. Jodi Fountain, representing the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Beautiful Clean Committee, presented the award.
Receiving the award on behalf of the church was Karen Jones, Pastor, Kenneth Hardy and Nell Polley.
According to a press release issued by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, the Shelby Beautiful Clean Committee of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce presented a Community Beautification Award to the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) for their many years of caring and beautifying the Methodist Church Cemetery. As one of the oldest cemeteries in Shelby County, it was established over 154 years ago.
The Methodist Church Cemetery has become a featured landmark in Center and is included in the Downtown Walking tour guide created by Steve and Lisa Thomas. The church established a memorial fund for contributions to be earmarked for cemetery landscape and maintenance. For many years, the work was guided and led by Nell Polley, and now in recent years, the mission is continued by Suzanne Ihlo, both of who are longtime church members.
The church welcomed Pastor Karen Jones in 2015 and FUMC Trustees Chairman is Kenneth Hardy. The church is recognized by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce for the constant care and efforts for beautification to the community and the mindful preservation of history. The cemetery is fenced and has an irrigation system. Most recently, all the burial markers were cleaned and preserved to a pristine state. Routine trimming and plantings in the FUMC Cemetery create a beautiful garden landscape year round. The last burial of over 100 people in the cemetery was Pollie Holt in 1939.
The Shelby Beautiful Clean Committee is chaired by Jodi Fountain. Shelby Beautiful Clean is affiliated with Keep Texas Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful programs. The committee leads recycling efforts as well as recognizes beautification efforts in Shelby County.
The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce is organized to promote and advance economic enrichment and development, tourism and the social and civic interest of Shelby County and adjoining areas.
