1790s
Methodism began in Cape Girardeau at about the founding of the city in the 1790’s. A man by the name of Samuel Parker organized a small group of five persons who met for a time in homes.
1809
In 1809 the first Methodist preacher was sent to Cape Girardeau as pastor and "this was the first appointment to a single charge west of the Mississippi River." The Reverend Jesse Walker was assigned to the Cape Girardeau Circuit of the Indiana District at the session of the Western Conference held at Cincinnati, Ohio on September 30, 1809.
1840
The first church building was not constructed until 1840 and was located at the corner of either Spanish and Morgan Oak or Spanish and Good Hope. It was used for ten years and destroyed by a tornado in 1850.
Civil War
Prior to, during, and following the Civil War it was "Give and take" between Methodists adhering to the Northern and Southern branches of the church. 
However, following the war and post war period, the Southern Methodists seemed to flourish and moved to a building on the corner of Sprigg and Themis. Continued growth led to the purchase of the present site of the church at the comer of Bellevue and Ellis Streets.
(Cape Girardeau, Sept., 1861. Illustration Courtesy
Son of the South Civil War WEB Site, used with permission)
1906
Construction of the church began in 1906. Tracing the establishment of the Methodist Church back 100 years, the congregation called their new church Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church, South, celebrating 100 years since the beginning of Methodism in Cape Girardeau.
1914
The original church built on the corner of Ellis and Bellevue streets was destroyed by fire on February 20, 1914, following which the stone "Modified Gothic" church was built. Dr. Ivan Lee Holt was pastor of Centenary at the time of the fire and building of the "Akron" style church in 1915.
1927
In 1927 the brick Education Building was erected, being a separate building for the church, connected only by a rear cloister. Rev. H. C. Hoy was pastor during this construction and while Centenary reported one of the largest Sunday Schools in Missouri.
1965
In 1965 the large parking lot across the street from the church was constructed, and the brick house at 321 North Ellis was purchased as a parsonage for the Associate Pastor.
1966
In 1966 Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Harris presented to Centenary Church the house at 700 Bellevue, as a parsonage for the Senior Pastor.
1973
The congregation voted in 1973 to completely renovate the Sanctuary and to connect it to the Education Building. This included reconstruction of the Sanctuary and the installation of a beautiful new rose window above the altar. A new unit was built to connect the Sanctuary with the Education building and this included a new office for the Senior Pastor, a new church office, and the Kimbel Memorial Chapel. This construction was completed in 1975 and paid for by the spring of 1985.
1992
In 1992 the new Family Life Center was completed offering space for fellowship and recreation for both the church and the community. A renovation providing a new children’s center, central office complex and other improvements was recently completed.