FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

                    
Search Engine for the Gazetteer

   Search this site      powered by FreeFind
 
 

                     

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, HAMILTON
1850's--

Click picture to see larger view

The first church in Hamilton was the Methodist Church, now the First United Methodist Church, which was organized in the 1850's. James Rice, a Methodist minister, was appointed by the Texas Conference, Waco District to minister to the Methodist congregation in Hamilton in 1856-before Hamilton County was created.  About 1870 the Gatesville circuit was created and Rev. William Monk was appointed to preach in Gatesville, Hamilton, Indian Creek, and Brownwood. 

The church met in the Hamilton County Courthouse for a number of years, building its first building, a 30 by 60 foot building, in 1887 on West Main Street when Rev. W. E. Caperton was pastor.  On March 11, 1887 John L. and Maggie Spurlin sold a parcel of land (Lot No. 8, of Block 2 in the Howard Addition to the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South for $70.   The trustees were George Miller, W. M. Merrill, Thomas H. Deen, J. H. Abraham, A. A. Mayhew, J. T. Valiant, R. M. Brandon, J. M. Russell, and A. M. Mayhew.  

Thomas H. Deen was Sunday School superintendent for 25 years, retiring about 1895. When ministers were not available Deen was called upon to bury the dead. In 1898 when Rev. A. P. Smith was pastor, the church building was enlarged. The present sanctuary was built in 1924 and has had several extensive remodelings. An educational building was erected in 1953. The interior of the church was remodeled and modernized in 1961. In September, 1979, a $180,000 remodeling project was completed.

Click picture to see larger view

 

REV. J. LAMBUTH EVANS - Pastor in 1934

HAMILTON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SO. - June, 1934, Hamilton County News

 

Home ] Up ] FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, HAMILTON-2 ]


People and Places: Gazetteer of Hamilton County, TX
Search this site powered by FreeFind

Copyright © March, 1998
by Elreeta Crain Weathers, B.A., M.Ed.,  
(also Mrs.,  Mom, and Ph. T.)

A Work In Progress