In 1915, the First Methodist Episcopal Church decided that a new building was needed. A site at 18^th Street and Carter Avenue was chosen and purchased from Mr. James H. Chambers for $10,000.

In 1917, arrangements were made with the Grand Theater to conduct Sunday School and Church Services in their facility until the new church was built. The original cost of the building was greatly underestimated. It was the opinion of some that undue extravagances were incurred in the costly construction. Approximately 100 members were lost to the First Methodist Episcopal Church South.

The stone for the new building came from Hummelstowne, Pennsylvania; the roofing slate from Bangor, Maine; the art glass windows from Louisville, Kentucky; and the Estey organ from Brattleboro, Vermont. The bell, which has been calling the congregation to worship for almost a century, was presented to the congregation by Captain H. S. Davis, a famous riverboat captain. Cast in Louisville, it had been used on one of the most handsome steamboats plying the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. It was moved from the old building to the new church where it remains today.

In 1919, the cornerstone was laid with Bishop F. T. Leete as the principal speaker. Only the church basement and the first floor had been built at that time.

From 1932 to 1935 the church was beset with financial difficulties. Although the church budget totaled only $3,731.50, a very small sum compared with a budget of today, the treasurer’s report for April 30, 1932 showed a deficit of $1,960.63. The effects of the depression were clearly being felt in the First Methodist Episcopal Church. The congregation of the First Methodist Episcopal Church South found itself in the same plight. Not only were the churches unable to raise money for their budget, but also they could not meet their mortgage payments. Since the First Methodist Episcopal Church South had virtually lost their building, it seemed practical for the two churches to work out a plan between them.

Although national unification was set for 1939 to 1940, the situation in the Ashland churches made it necessary for them to unite one year earlier. Because the physical plant of the First Methodist Episcopal Church South at 15^th Street and Central Avenue had never been completed and because the debt on the church at 18^th Street and Carter Avenue was smaller and seemed manageable, the official boards of the two churches decided that the First Methodist Episcopal Church would be the logical home of the united church.

First Methodist Episcopal Church and First Methodist Episcopal Church South united on January 30, 1938, and became the First Methodist Church. Members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church South marched as a body into the First Methodist Episcopal Church. Their minister, the Reverend Guy C. Coffman preached the first sermon to the united congregation. His text was taken from Acts 2:1, “They were all in one accord in one place”.

Through the efforts of the united congregations the financial outlook began to brighten. The mortgage burning ceremony was held on May 7, 1944.

In August 1956, the Claggett property and the Beckett property were purchased for $39,000 each for the purpose of the Educational Wing. The new building provided rooms for all of the children’s classes, youth classes, the Boy Scout Troop, and two adult classes. The groundbreaking ceremony was held May 28, 1967. It was dedicated and formally opened on May 19,1968. In the fall of 1997, the Educational Building was named the Edward L. Tullis Educational Building in honor of Bishop Tullis, pastor from 1961 until his election as Bishop in 1972.A memorial garden and the Lowell V. Thomas, Jr. Memorial Fountain were built in 1982. Improvements to the "office entrance" from the garden were completed to eliminate all steps leading to the sanctuary and church offices. An elevator was also installed to provide access to the fellowship hall, kitchen, and basement classrooms.

In 1999, the commercial building located adjacent to the educational wing was purchased for use as an Activity Center (AKA The Chocolate Chip.) This facility provides an informal assembly area that has been remodeled and equipped for contemporary services, youth functions, Disciple Classes, United Methodist Women functions, and Sunday School Classes.