About

Church for the Next Chapter.

Meet the

Hayes

Down-to-earth, kind and compassionate—Pastor Barry and Cathy are the kind of people you want to know.

Pastor Barry Hayes committed his life to Jesus Christ in 1985, and he has tried to remain faithful to the Holy Spirit’s direction ever since. In 1993, while living in Tacoma, Washington, Pastor Barry felt the Lord leading him back to Oklahoma where he would fill the pulpit for a rural congregation. His first appointment was a two-point charge of Pocola/Cameron, Oklahoma. He also served churches in Stillwell and Tulsa, and spent one year as a hospital chaplain. Pastor Barry is currently serving as the president of the Mannford Ministerial Alliance.

Barry and his wife, Cathy, came to First Methodist Church of Mannford in 2019. Pastor Barry is a big C.S. Lewis fan. He and Cathy enjoy life in the country, especially when their children and grandkids come to visit. His hobbies include reading, hunting, fishing, caring for land and animals and time with friends. Pastor Barry’s passion? His love for God’s presence and God’s Word.

Our History

First Methodist Church of Mannford has a moving history (literally). We are a resilient congregation that has persevered through many challenges. Through it all, one thing remains the same:
Our desire to love God and love our neighbor.

  • 1902

    A community building was built in a town called “Mann’s Ford,” located at the bottom of Keystone Lake—before Keystone Lake existed. The founding pastor, J.A. Morgan, invited all denominations to attend.

  • 1906

    The church formally organized under the name and denomination, Mannford Episcopal South Church. Pictured here is a Sunday School class from that time. These women are our forerunners.

  • 1916

    A lightning strike burned the church building to the ground. Enduring this hardship and many others have made empathy, grace end perseverance part of our DNA.

  • 1917

    The building was gone but the congregation remained strong in the Lord. Within a year, the cornerstone for a new building was laid. We would continue to experience more challenging times.

  • 1963

    The church relocated, along with the town, to make way for Keystone Lake. When the dam was completed, a new chapter began. The land was donated by Bert and Clara Greenwood.

  • 1968

    A new denomination, steeped in the theological traditions of the Protestant Reformation and Wesleyanism, formed. We joined to become First United Methodist Church of Mannford.

  • 1984

    A tornado tore through the town on a Sunday morning. The building was severely damaged, but thankfully, no one was hurt. The building was rebuilt and enlarged.

  • 2003

    After many years of ministry, the time was right to expand our ability to serve the community. We added the Family Life Center, a multipurpose building, to the property.

  • 2022

    The church disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church and became connected to the newly formed Global Methodist Church. Our name changed but our mission remains the same.

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is simple and focused.

  • Reaching out in acts of love, by providing for various physical and spiritual needs of our neighbors.

  • Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that people are…

  • Becoming children of the living God.

Partnering in Our Community

Mannford Ministerial Alliance

The Ministerial Alliance is a group of churches that fellowship and serve together. The Alliance aligns with our heart for loving our neighbors.

We strive to meet needs in our town. The Alliance works with the local schools providing glasses for kids and sponsoring the backpack program. For graduating seniors, the Alliance provides the annual baccalaureate and senior breakfast. We also support and participate in numerous food programs with the schools, including providing Thanksgiving Baskets to 75 families.

For those who are enjoying a new chapter in life, this is the perfect way to serve: in community with others.