OLDEST -- Continuous Methodist Congregation in Texas - Gonzales, Texas
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member iconions
N 29° 30.098 W 097° 27.084
14R E 650108 N 3264563
This one-story buff brick Gothic Revival brick building located on Church Square - 426 St. Paul Street in Gonzales, Texas.
Waymark Code: WMZA4M
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/07/2018
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member jhuoni
Views: 3

First United Methodist Church of Gonzales is the oldest continuous Methodist congregation in the state of Texas. Our heritage traces back to before that fateful moment when the “Come & Take It” cannon was fired in Gonzales marking the beginning of the Texas revolution. With this honor includes a long and rich spiritual heritage and a continued devotion to loving and serving the Lord.

Welcome! It is our hope that this website serves as a great introduction and a window into the life of First Methodist. Come and see for yourself the great things God is doing among and through us!

- First United Methodist Church Homepage Website



Henry Stephenson was one of the earliest pastors to come to the Gonzales area. In 1824, he preached at Peach Creek. In the same year, John Wesley Kenney, one of the pioneers of Methodism in Texas, preached on the Guadalupe River near Gonzales.

The first sermon heard in Gonzales was given by W.P. Smith, a Protestant lay preacher who was later ordained a Methodist minister. He arrived in Gonzales on October 1, 1835, at the time when the colonists were preparing to resist Mexico’s demand for the return of a small brass cannon which had been loaned to them for protection against the Indians. In the general excitement the colonists gathered on the town square where W.P. Smith delivered a rousing speech which is recorded as the first sermon heard in Gonzales.

On October 2, 1835, the first shot from the small brass cannon started the Texas Revolution. The colonists had begun expressing their discontent with the Mexican government and this skirmish created tension between them so war seemed imminent. A Texas army was organized with Sam Houston elected commander-in-chief in March, 1836. W.P. Smith was again present and preached a stirring and patriotic sermon. His pulpit was made of boards placed across two cannons, “The Twin Sisters:, which had been captured in the siege of Bexar. His sermon was from Isaiah 1:19,20. “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat of the good fruit of the land, but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured by the sword.”

The freedom of Texas was not easily won, for many suffered as the Mexican army advanced on Gonzales after the fall of the Alamo. The colony was abandoned and burned and the colonists fled in what was called “The Runaway Scrape.”

Later the brave and determined people returned to their lands. They still possessed a Christian desire for Bible teaching and for a church. But cabins had to be built and their town rebuilt. The building of a church had to wait.

The plea of the colonists for Christian laborers was heard in the States. In 1836, the General Conference met in Cincinnati Ohio, and, being assured that Texas was no longer a part of Mexico, appointed Martin Ruter superintendent of the Texas Mission.

The Methodist system of using itinerant circuit riders, exhorters, local preachers and class leaders was especially suitable for the needs of the people and their immature state.

The Victoria Circuit was formed in 1840, and Reverend J.P. Sneed was appointed to serve in Port Lavaca, Victoria, Gonzales, and Seguin. In 1841, the Texas Conference was formed and this placed the Victoria Circuit in the Rutersville District. In the same year, 1841, conference records show that Reverend J.P. Sneed organized the Methodist Church at Gonzales. Reverend John Wesley DeVilbiss was appointed to the Victoria Circuit in 1843, and continued with the organization of the Gonzales Methodist Church. He served on Gonzales at that time, and from that time onward Gonzales always had its own minister.

In the meantime, Thomas J. Pilgrim, a school teacher, came to Gonzales in 1840 and taught the young people and others. He formed a Sunday School and taught both Methodists and Baptists. However, when the question of baptism was raised, differences were apparent so the Methodists formed their own Sunday School.

The pastoral address delivered at the 1843 Annual Conference enjoined members to read the scriptures and conduct family prayer; to respect the Sabbath and aid the Sabbath School; to give children a common school education and a knowledge of the higher branches, if convenient; to beware of debt and to avoid tale-bearing; and to be punctual at class and prayer meetings.

- First United Methodist Church History Website



section 7 page 18:
Block/Site# - 32/201
Address - St. Paul at St. Lawrence
Property Type - Church
Stylistic Influence - Gothic Revival
Date - 1900
Category - Contributing


section 8 page 38:
First United Methodist Church
1900/1958
426 St. Paul, Church Square (Site 201)

Built on Church Square in 1900, Houston architect O.H.P. Tudesill designed this Gothic Revival brick building to feature comer towers, steep pyramidal and gable roof forms, limestone caps at pilasters and cresting, and lancet stained glass windows. An excellent example of turn of the century church architecture, this building represents the economic prosperity experienced by Gonzales at the turn of the century. With the exception of the removal of the steeple form roofs on its corner towers, the building retains most of its historic integrity and received an Official Texas Historical Marker in 1991. An addition was added to the rear of the building in the 1950s.

- National Register Application

Type of documentation of superlative status: website

Location of coordinates: Front steps of church

Web Site: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:


Post one photo of the waymark that is a different view from the one on the page and describe your visit, including the date. Other information that you may regarding the waymark is encouraged. Neither you nor your GPSr need to appear in any photos!
Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest Superlatives
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
WalksfarTX visited OLDEST -- Continuous Methodist Congregation in Texas - Gonzales, Texas 06/07/2018 WalksfarTX visited it