First United Methodist Church - Van Alstyne, TX
Posted by: 
WalksfarTX
N 33° 25.211 W 096° 34.515
14S E 725456 N 3700499
Present sanctuary was completed and dedicated in 1917, with dedicatory sermon given by the Rev. Sam R. Hay.
Waymark Code: WMWYYQ
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 11/01/2017
Views: 2
Church Website
1847: A small group of early Texas pioneers formed the Old Liberty Class of Methodism, known as The Class, in a family's log cabin home on the Grayson- Collin County line here in north Texas.
1856: Growth in members resulted in the building of a chapel in the nearby town of Mantua, and The Class was renamed Mt. Zion Methodist Church. The church was given conference recognition and Y.S. McKinney was appointed its first circuit rider pastor.
1873: At the founding of Van Alstyne by the Houston and Central Railroad, Mt. Zion church dismantled it chapel. The chapel was moved and rebuilt on a site which is now part of the current Van Alstyne cemetery. Mt. Zion was Van Alstyne's first church.
1893: Continued growth in membership necessitated the erection of a new, larger steepled building at Waco and Jefferson streets in Van Alstyne. At this time, the church was renamed The Van Alstyne Methodist Episcopal Church.
1917: Present Sanctuary building completed and dedicated.
1937: The church was renamed First Methodist Episcopal Church South and then in 1938 the name was changed again to The Methodist Church.
1968: When national ecumenical accords were reached, the present name, First United Methodist Church of Van Alstyne, Texas was established.