Jewett United Methodist Church History

Jewett United Methodist Church
223 South Broadway Street
Jewett, Texas

Building on the Word of God (903) 626-4003

Our Church History

TEXT FROM TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKER

THE TOWN OF JEWETT WAS LAID OUT IN DECEMBER 1871 ALONG THE INTERNATIONAL AND GREAT NORTHERN RAILROAD LINE. BY 1872 METHODISTS IN THE AREA WERE MEETING FOR WORSHIP SERVICES IN THE HOME OF WILLIAM R. AND PATIENCE HORN ELLIS, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF CIRCUIT-RIDING MINISTER JAMES J. DAVIS, THE JEWETT METHODIST CHURCH CONGREGATION WAS ORGANIZED.

IN 1873 CHURCH TRUSTEES PURCHASED LAND AT THE CORNER OF MARION AND WEST 2^nd STREET. CHURCH MEMBERS SOON BUILT A FRAME SANCTUARY WHICH FACED ONTO MARION STREET. IT CONTINUED TO SERVE THE CONGREGATION UNTIL 1899, WHEN THE CHURCH PURCHASED THREE LOTS ON 2^ND STREET ACROSS FROM THE ORIGINAL SANCTUARY. A NEW WHITE FRAME STRUCTURE WITH A HIGH STEEPLE WAS BUILT IN 1900.

THE CONGREGATION GREW STEADILY, AND BY 1900 INCLUDED 191 MEMBERS. IN ADDITION TO WORSHIP SERVICES, PROGRAMS INCLUDED SUNDAY SCHOOL AND WOMENS MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. A NEW CHURCH COMPLEX WAS BUILT IN THE 1960s. THE JEWETT CHURCH WAS A MEMBER OF VARIOUS METHODIST CIRCUITS OVER THE YEARS UNTIL IT BECAME A FULL STATION IN 1989. IT CONTINUES TO UPHOLD THE TRADITIONS OF ITS FOUNDERS, OFFERING A VARIETY OF WORSHIP, EDUCATIONAL, AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Photo of the church building under construction in 1900. Photo below is the same building in 1942 after several changes were made over the years.

Below was written in 1942

History of The Methodist Church - Jewett, Texas

The Woman's Society of Christian Service has compiled all of the available data and facts concerning the First Methodist Church of Jewett, Texas, and in the following pages presents a history of the Church as accurately as the accumulated data has made possible. For information about the earliest history we are indebted to a former Church member, Mr. W. A. Craig, now of Hearne, Texas.

The Methodist church of Jewett, Texas was organized in the year of 1872 with Rev. J. J. Davis as the first pastor. Among the first members who contributed to the support of the early Church were: Mr. Henderson manager of the first lumber yard; Mrs. Mollie Black grandmother of Robert Swindler, who is now a member of the same church; Mrs. Ellis, and B. R. Springfield, father of Mrs. Annie LaGrone, who has been an active member for many years. Other pastors from 1872-1890 were Reverends: Sam C. Vaughan, Brice, Anderson, Graham, Walker, Kelly, Brinson, and Brooks. The pastors who served the Church from 1900-1940 inclusive are listed in consecutive order: Reverends: C. M. Thompson, J. W. Holt, G. W. Riley, S. W. Thomas, F. O. Raver, J. R. Murray, T. S. Williford, J. L. Red, L. B. Saxon, R. S. Marshall, B. F. Bell, J. C. Carr, J. C. Huddleson, J. C. Stewart, W. F. Weeks, J. D. Wallace, Paul Moon, J. N. Vincent, A. M. Williams, and J. M. Lee.

The first church building was built in 1872 and stood on the lot facing the present Church. In 1900 during the pastorate of Rev. Brooks the Church which is in use today was erected. A few of the changes that have been made in the building are the lowering of the high steeple; the building of concrete steps by the pastor, Rev. Paul Moon; and the adding of Sunday School class rooms during the pastorate of Rev. Arthur Williams in 1939.

The Sunday School was organized soon after the organization of the Church. One of the first Sunday School Superintendents was Mr. W. A. Craig who served from 1884-1888 with Mr. Jim Waltman as assistant. The latter became acting Superintendent from 1888-1891 during the absence of Mr. Craig who resumed his duties in 1891 and acted until he moved to Hearne in 1893 where he is still living and is very active. Mr. L. D. Waltman followed Mr. Craig as Superintendent. Others who served in this capacity have been J. D. Atkisson, Sr.., Coaky Evans, Dr. V. L. Smith, R. B. Adams, who served for twenty years, and the present Superintendent G. W. Leathers.

When the Church was first organized, it was in the Calvert District, later it was changed to the Marlin District; and in 1941 it was put in the Jacksonville District.

The present Church members owe a debt of gratitude to those who worked so faithfully during their lifetime to the advancement of the local Church. Some of those who were so faithful are Mrs. Iva Adkisson, Mrs. Lela Adams, Mrs. Maggie Keeton, Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Brady, Mr. and Mrs. F. P. Harrison, Mrs. Beulah Weakley, Mrs. Nellie Adams, Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Minter, and Mr. J. T. Boucher.

Mrs. J. E. Mattison, President

The above was written and published in the Church Directory of 1941-1942.

The Church Roll 1941-1942

R. B. Adams Mrs. G. H. Kyle Mrs. Harvey Scott

Miss Nannie Adkisson Mrs. Anna LaGrone Mrs. Maurine St. John

J. D. Adkisson, Jr. Charlie LaGrone John H. Scott

Mrs. J. D. Adkisson, Jr. Mrs. Charlie LaGrone Mrs. Lee Scott

Jeff D. Adkisson, Sr. G. W. Leathers Mrs. Mary Scott

B. R. Adkisson, Jr. Joel B. Leathers R. G. Swindler

Mrs. Ross Adkisson Mrs. L. E. Long Mrs. R. G. Swindler

Frances Adkisson Cecil Mason Bob Swindler

J. T. Adkisson Mrs. Erma Mattison Mrs. Allie Tatum

Mrs. Jake Barnes Mary Estelle Mattison Bobby Tatum

Mrs. J. L. Barron J. T. McLaughlin Joe Nell Tatum

Mildred Barron Mrs. J. T. McLaughlin Mrs. Milton Kirkpatrick

James Ira Barron Hazel McLaughlin Milton Kirkpatrick

Maybelle Bedingfield Donald McLaughlin Jack Weldon Price

Mrs. Lloyd Brotherton Erma Jean McLaughlin Sidney McLaughlin

Lloyd Brotherton Robert F. McLaughlin James Ira Dunn, Jr.

Joe A. Brown Mrs. Robt. F. McLaughlin Nellie Jo Adams

William Franklin Brown Raymond McLaughlin Betsy Jean LaGrone

Cuvier Campbell C. C. May Naelyn Oden

Mrs. Sam Campbell Mrs. J. A. Newberry Jack Borton Adkisson

Sam Campbell Terrell Newberry Mrs. J. M. Lee

Mrs. Eula Dozelle Hugh Parks Pauline Smith

Mrs. D. B. Du Bois Miss Effie Parks Juanita Smith

Chas. Douglas Du Bois Clyde Parks Mrs. Joe A. Brown

Mrs. J. I. Dunn W. P. Platt Rogers Evans

Mrs. T. C. Evans Mrs. Finnie Price Jane LaGrone

Chas. Riley Evans Finnie Price Robert McLaughlin, Jr.

Mrs. Chas. Riley Evans Dorthy Nell Price Platt McLaughlin

J. C. Gardner Irene Punich Charles Riley Evans

Mrs. Allie Ewing Mrs. Wilson Jowers Mrs. Coakey Evans

Mrs. Frank Garland Mrs. Will Rankin Mrs. J. C. Gardner

Mrs. E. B. Reed Frank Garland Mrs. Will Rankin

Frank Garland G. O. Smith Mrs. Kate L. Harrison

Mrs. G. O. Smith Frank Payne Harrison Sterling Smith

Oscar Keeton Harvey Scott

Questions? Send us an e-mail, we look forward to hearing from you.

Number of Visits: