First Methodist Episcopal Church
a.k.a. Friendship Hall
3rd St. and Lead Ave., Albuquerque, NMThe growth of the First Methodist Episcopal Church exemplifies the history and development of the Protestant denominations in New Mexico in the late 19th century. The building is also an important Victorian architectural landmark in Albuquerque and was a significant element in the expansion and subsequent decline of the section of the city known as New Town. One of the first Protestant groups to organize in Albuquerque, it has remained at the same downtown location throughout the many changes in that neighborhood. Urban Renewal has demolished most of the older structures in New Town but the church building remains from this early period.
With United States occupation of New Mexico in 1846, separation of church and state replaced the old policy of the establishment of the Roman Catholic Church which previous to that time had forbidden the entrance of Protestant sects into New Mexico. Soon Protestant denominations viewed New Mexico as a promising missionary field and newly arriving Anglo settlers brought their religious affiliations with them. Growth was slow, however, until after the Civil War and especially until after the arrival of the railroads.
During the 1850's the Rev. E. G. Nicholson initiated Methodist missionary work among the Spanish people in an area extending from Santa Fe to Socorro. Despite the aid of two Spanish-speaking assistants, he found this labor so discouraging that he soon left the Territory. One of the assistants, Benigno Cardenas, a converted Roman Catholic priest, remained and tried to help the Rey. G. B. Durbin of New York who formed a preaching circuit in 1855. Little was accomplished and, after a year, Durbin returned east and Cardenas rejoined the Roman Catholic Church Methodist proselytizing ceased until 1873 when the Rev. John Stub established a circuit in the lower Rio Grande Valley and delivered an occasional sermon in Albuquerque. In November, 1879 the Rev. Nathaniel Gale, who had previously served at Silver City, in southwestern New Mexico, received a call to take charge of Methodist work in Albuquerque. His arrival marked the organization of the First Methodist Episcopal Church congregation.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.