United Methodist Church - Eagle Lake, TX - Methodist Churches on Waymarking.com

The current building was constructed in 1976, the two previous buildings (at a different location) were built in 1939 and 1899. The cornerstones from the two earlier buildings and a bell are displayed in front of the main entry.


From the Texas Historical Marker located at the corner of West Prairie and Cemetery Avenue:

Methodism in Eagle Lake

The United Methodist Church of Eagle Lake is the oldest Protestant congregation in the community. By 1864, Emma Tracy Rhine started the first private school in Eagle Lake. The one-room schoolhouse served as the first church meeting house in 1872, when circuit rider Orceneth Fisher organized a Methodist church and Sunday school. Emma Rhine organized the first Ladies Aid Society in the same year, establishing a tradition of women's groups in the church.

The Methodists met in the schoolhouse until 1880, when the community built a union church. The Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian and Christian congregations shared the facility until each could build its own sanctuary. In May 1899, J.K. Davidson, James A. Harbert, R.B. Dobbins and W.Y. Westmoreland, trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, bought land on Lake Street. The Rev. R.E. Nunn directed the construction of a brick sanctuary and a parsonage.

In 1939, John Robert and Otera (Fussell) Colly donated land and money for a new Methodist church, named Colly Memorial Methodist Church, in memory of their 17-year-old daughter Bobby. She died the year before by electrocution in a swimming pool; a stained glass window behind the altar was given in memory of A.W. Braun, who died trying to save her. The church facilities expanded with educational buildings and a new parsonage.

The church moved one block away to the former Eagle Lake High School site in 1976. The stained glass window and a historic bell moved with the congregation, which changed its name to the United Methodist Church of Eagle Lake. More than a century after its founding, the church continues to play a significant role in the community.

Active church?: Yes Year Built: 1976 Service times: Sunday School - 10:00 Worship Service - 11:00 Website: Not listed

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   01/21/2006 WalksfarTX visited it