1913 - Decatur First United Methodist Church - Decatur, Texas
Posted by: 
gparkes
N 33° 14.006 W 097° 35.088
14S E 631858 N 3678058
This church has its beginings in 1862, while the building was constructed in 1913
Waymark Code: WM8PA7
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 04/26/2010
Views: 6
A marker on the outside of the building tells of the congregations history:
Organized in 1862, this congregation is the oldest in Decatur. The Reverend J. R. Bellamy conducted the first services in a vacant store on the south side of the town square. Other churches were not started in the community until after the Civil War. Instrumental leaders in the development of the young church were charter members Stephen M. Gose and his wife Mary. A blacksmith and farmer, Gose had migrated to this area from Missouri. Their home and pump organ were used for many of the early services. The first sanctuary was constructed at this site in 1881. Property for the congregation was deeded by the county government. Built during the pastorate of the Reverend E. D. Dejernet, the edifice was destroyed by fire in the early 1890s. A second church structure for the fellowship was soon built at this location. It served the growing membership until the present brick sanctuary was completed. Constructed under the leadership of the Reverend A. R. Nash, it was dedicated at Easter services in 1914. An educational wing was added in 1940. (1980)
Year of construction: 1913
Cross-listed waymark: [Web Link]
Full inscription:
First Methodist
Church South
1913
(second side)
Jesus Christ
Himself
Being the Chief
Corner Stone
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