Not sure of the source of this material - was in a collection of typed histories

It appears to have been written about 1934

Floral Heights Church from an old Postcard

Origin of the Floral heights Methodist Church of Wichita Falls: At the session of the Fourth Quarterly Conference of the First, M. E. Church, South, of Wichita Falls, held in October, 1919, presided over by Presiding Elder J. Sam Barcus, the question of organizing a new Methodist congregation and the building of another substantial Methodist Church in the city was discussed at considerable length. After hearing from various members of the conference, also the pastor of the First Methodist Church, Rev. S. A. Barnes, as well as the Presiding Elder, a motion to organize and launch the new Church was passed without a dissenting vote, and the conference was well attended. Pursuant to this action the Conference proceeded to nominate and elect two boards of stewards at that meeting, one for First Methodist Church and one for the new organization which was called the Floral Heights Methodist Church. The following men were nominated by the pastor to be stewards for and assume the organization of the new Church:

J. M. Alexander

J. W. Donehoo

Martin Allday

P. J. Lea

J. M. Bland

P. A. Martin

B. M. Bullard

E. H. Eddleman

E. H. Breedlove

Walter Nelson

P. B. Cox

H. S. Gray

W. B. Chauncy

P. S. Richardson

Chas. Crowell

C. C. Knight

L. E. Cowling

E. E. Traweek

W. P. Ferguson

S. E. Trevathan

Lester Jones

T. J. Waggoner

Marvin Smith

Merle Waggoner

J. P. Jones

O.B. Manross

M. P. Kelly

In the meeting there was developed two distinct view points as to what course was best to pursue in the then rapidly growing city of Wichita Falls with reference to the expansion of the work of the Church.

One of these views advocated by some of the leading Methodists of the city was that one great outstanding down-town church building should be erected providing for a very large congregation for future years, with the idea that such a program would better stabalize and assure the future of Methodism in the city, rather than having a number of smaller organizations, thus reducing the outlay that could be made in a down-town program.

The other view, which prevailed, was that the First Church, which was at that time almost as large in membership as could be well and effectively handled by one organization, and that one more substantial Church building and organization should be launched in a city of this size, and especially with regard to the probable future growth of the city, and that, it was argued, the launching of such a additional program would not only not detract from the future of the down- town Church, but would undoubtedly ensure to the future growth and progress of Methodism. With the further thought that any other Methodist Churches in the city than the two herein discussed would be relatively small organizations serving certain communities as is done in all cities of similar size where Methodism has much foothold.

The latter view, as shown above, prevailed in this conference without a dissenting vote. The first meeting of the Board of Stewards of the Floral Heights Methodist Church was held at 1:30 P. M. on Sunday, November 2, 1919 in the First Methodist Church, with seventeen of the above named stewards present, and Bro. Barnes, pastor of First Methodist. The following were elected officers for the year:

J. M. Bland, Chairman;

P. B. Cox, vice chairman; and

Lester Jones, secretary-treasurer.

Delegates to the Annual Conference were instructed to secure a pastor for the new church. The following five members were appointed as a building committee:

J. M. Bland, P. A. Martin, P. J. Lea, T.J. Waggoner, and E. H. Breedlove.

Bro. W. A. Tittle was sent by the Annual Conference as the first pastor of the church, and was present for the stewards meeting on November 12 at the home of Judge Martin.

On November 16, 1919 the Floral Heights Methodist Sunday School met for the first time in the High School building with an attendance of 115. Judge W. B. Chauncy was Sunday School superintendent. The school building was rented for this purpose for $10.00 per month, the Church to pay the janator. A Mr. Ellis was engaged to lead the singing for a salary of $25.00 per month. For several months they continued to meet in the High School building.

It was decided by the Board of Stewards and the Building Committee to erect a rather substantial tabernacle for the place of worship during the erection of the Church building. The tabernacle was built on the corner of Tenth and Denver and was used by the congregation until the final completion of the new Church building at Tenth and Polk. The Sunday School had a rapid growth, having on Rally Day in October, 1920, an attendance of 437.

The building committee of the new Church, after much investigation and with the consent of the Board of Stewards, purchased what was known as the Warren property on the corner of Tenth and Polk, there being 100 x 150 foot front on the corner and 50 x l50 inside lot with a good frame residence on it suitable for a parsonage. This property was purchased for $25,000 and the new Church building was launched shortly thereafter and located on the vacant corner indicated above. The total cost of Church, parsonage, land, and Church furnishings, was $200,000. Stanley Fields was selected as architect, and Joplin Construction Company was given the contract for the building.

On March 7, 1921, a banquet was held in the basement of the new Church, and plans were made for the formal opening of the New Temple of Worship.

On May 8, 1921 the new Church was formally opened with Bishop W. N. Ainsworth as the speaker. The building was filled to capacity. A Sacrificial Offering was taken in addition to all pledges that had been made, which amounted to more than $21,000. The membership at the time of the opening was approximately 600. In March, 1922, the Floral Heights Methodist Church brought Bishop Edwin D. Mouzon to Wichita Falls to conduct a series of revival meetings. These meetings were largely attended by people of all denominations and were a blessing to the whole city. Hosts of new members were added to the Floral Heights Church.

In November, 1926, the Floral Heights Methodist Church and the First Methodist Church entertained the North Texas Annual Conference in its Sixtieth session. Much inspiration came to the Church from this great gathering.

During that Conference Judge and Mrs. Martin took advantage of the fact that the first pastor of their Church, and the first presiding Elder, were in the city, and gave a dinner honoring them and the first stewards, who had met in their home to organize the Church seven years before. All were present except T. J. Waggoner, who was ill. After the dinner several hours were spent in retrospective talks about the history of the Church.

The Church has continued to grow and now has a membership of 1400, with an average Sunday School attendance of about 550.

Pastors who have served this Church:

W. L. Tittle 2 years

J. H. Groseclose 1 years

S. A. Barnes 6 years

E. R. Barcus 1 years

C. F. Simpson 2 years

F. A. Crutchfield 3 years

Written in March 1934.

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