The property for Miles Memorial Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was purchased November 11,1872. The most preferred and used term by black institutions both North and South was the word colored. The signatures on the note were the trustees: Daniel Mims, Seaberm Poe, Henry Jackson, Cary Price and Robert Birdwell.

There was no church building in 1872 A brush arbor served as the shelter for the worshippers. Rev. M. F. Jamison was sent in 1872 as the first pastor. He found only a handful of devoted believers waiting to welcome and receive their first pastor who would serve for three years. Sixteen new members were added the first three years. Rev. Jamison was succeeded by Reverend E.W. Mosely, under whose pastorate the first church building was erected. It was a small frame building corseting only of a sanctuary and was named Miles Chapel in honor of Bishop W. H. Miles. Bishop W. H. Miles was the first Bishop of the CME Church.

The first East Texas Annual Conference was held in Marshall in the little Church which had been bait by Rev. Mosley. The East Texas Annual Conference is the oldest conference in the state of Texas. Bishop Isaac Lane presided over this conference and conferred upon this little church the time honored title of Mother Church, the oldest CME church in the state of Texas.

         The first parsonage on the church property was built under the pastorate of Rev. C.R. Beck in 1878.It was a small frame structure. Later, beginning under the leadership of Rev. H.P. Hawkins, a larger brick siding parsonage was constructed. The job was completed under Rev. W.A. Jones who served two different times as pastor. Repairs, additions and improvements of the church and POS parsonage were made under several pastors between 1879 and 1935.These pastors were Rev. I.E Robinson, Rev. N.S. Curry and others.

           Additional property for the church was purchases from Webb and Jack Rogers on June 24, 1913.The signers of this purchase were the trustees of the church at the time: George Maxey, J. O Robinson, Bert White and LH Williams. This property was east of the church facing Black Street on the south and South Grove street on the east.

In a church conference on April 9, 1951, It was proposed by the pastor, Rev. J. Henry Alston and agreed upon by the church conference to change the name of the Church from Miles Chapel colored Methodist Episcopal Church to Miles Memorial Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. This act was a forerunner of a more modem edifice.

Worship service were conducted under a tent from the demolition of the old brick building to the completion of the new building. Construction of the church as it stands today was perfected by Rev. J. Henry Alston and a loyal membership of more than 200 members at a cost of 50,000 dollars in 1953. The structure houses a large sanctuary with balcony, eight classrooms, pastor’s study, four restrooms, kitchen, dining area. and numerous closets, storage rooms and cabinets.

              Promissory notes for the new building were signed by the trustees of the church. These persons were: M.F. Brown, A.O. Lattimore, E. High, E.M. Regan, V.L. Wells, Jesse Jefferson, and A.R.  Golightly. The new building was completely furnished under the leadership of Rev. C.R. Thomas. Under his leadership the parsonage was also renovated and furnished. A dedicated member of the church, Mrs. Lela Winbun, donated to the church an organ which cost $3,000. The organ was paid in full by Mrs. Winburn.

              On May 17,1954 a resolution was passed by the General Conference changing the C in CME from colored to Christian thus making the new name of out church Miles Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

              Rev. L. D. Jackson was sent to Miles Memorial in 1971 and was pastor of the church in 1975 when additional property was purchased for the express purpose of erecting a new parsonage. Under the very able pastorate of Rev. G.T. Cowley, plans and specifications for the new parsonage were put in the hands of the trustees of the church Soon, the dream became a reality.

              The list of pastor’s sent to Miles Memorial incudes Reverends Eli Johnson, I.E. Robinson, Moon, W.A. Jones, J.H. Merritt, M.L. Vaughters, L.E. Craig, Whitlow, T.J. Etchinson, Cooks, J.B. Lewis, Sherman, S.L Garrett, T.H. Moore, J.H. Alston, D.V. Patton, C.R. Thomas, I.H. Douglas, I.G. Collins, N.S. Curry, H.P. Hawkins, I.T. Speed, Moore, L.D. Jackson, G.T. Cowley, T.L. Baylock, Lewis Z. Houston, James E. Francis, Lee Gellington, Aaron Bondage, Kenneth Cain, Dwayne McAllister, Hervert Scott, James E. Allen, Alvester Hardiman, Willie Mae McAlister, Diana Dickerson- Castell, Frank Mitchell, Ronald E, Daniels, Wilbert Hall Sr, Anne Ross,Tamala Jackson-Neal.

              Miles Memorial has given Christian Leadership to Marshall and the nation, worth mothers and fathers to the city, and the world, and has lifted educational standards by supporting its publishing house and five Connectional Colleges: Lane, Paine Miles, Texas and Phillip’s School Theology.

Miles will continue to serve, evangelize, and work for better human relations as the Holy Spirit directs. We thank you God for 149 years and we pray that His will is to grant us many more years in His service.