Matagorda United Methodist Church - Matagorda, Texas
Posted by: 
Raven
N 28° 41.479 W 095° 58.065
15R E 210016 N 3177394
The Matagorda UMC was founded in 1839. While several of its earlier structures were destroyed by hurricanes, this current building was erected in 1893 and still serves the rural Matagorda County community to this day.
Waymark Code: WMPTJ3
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/18/2015
Views: 5
Per the adjoining Texas Historical Marker:
"One of the earliest Methodist churches in Texas. Founded January 6, 1839, by the Rev. Jesse Hord, a circuit rider who recorded that he came through "Black mud, a pouring down rain and a howling norther" to hold services in Matagorda. When he preached at "Early candle light" (dusk), four persons came forward to form the nucleus of the present church.
The first church building was erected about 1851 but was destroyed by the great hurricane of 1854, which leveled almost every building in town. In 1869 worship was held in the county courthouse; in 1891 the present parsonage was built. In 1892 members decided they must have a proper church after being accidentally locked out of their meeting place -- the schoolhouse -- on a cold, rainy Thanksgiving Day.
Long leaf yellow pine and cypress were brought in from Galveston and the present church was completed 1893. A Sunday school was soon founded by the Ladies' Aid Society. In 1927, Sunday School rooms, a kitchen, and study were built. In 1942, another hurricane and flood damaged, but did not destroy, the church.
Today, though many improvements and new furnishings have been recently added, the original bible, bell, and hand-made cypress pews are still in service."
Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1893
Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque
If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Methodist
If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday
Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 10:00 AM
Street address of Church:
813 Fisher St.
Matagorda, Texas USA
77457
Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed
Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed
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