First United Methodist Church

First United Methodist Church, known in 1925 as Dayton Methodist Episcopal Church (South), holds a solemn place in history as the site of William Jennings Bryan’s final public appearance. On the morning of July 26—the day of his death—Bryan arrived unannounced and led a prayer before the sermon, which was delivered by guest preacher E.A. Peterson of Buna, Texas. That same morning, an article titled "Will William Jennings Bryan Ever Come Back?" appeared in the newspaper, written by Doris Stevens, wife of Bryan’s courtroom adversary Dudley Field Malone—a poignant coincidence given the events that would soon unfold.

Two weeks earlier, on July 12, Bryan had preached a Sunday morning sermon at the church. At that point, he had yet to speak publicly during the Scopes Trial, and anticipation was so great that the church was overflowing with both members and visitors eager to hear him. Among those in attendance was Judge John T. Raulston, who sat in the front row with his family. Originally built in 1888, the church standing on this site today has undergone significant renovations and no longer resembles the structure present during the trial. At the time, the church was affiliated with the Southern branch of the Methodist Episcopal Church—a denomination historically associated with Democrats and Confederate sympathizers, while First Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church was attended primarily by Republicans and Union loyalists.