A BRIEF HISTORY OF GODLEY PRAIRIE METHODIST CHURCH by Verda Mae MURRELL TERRAL Godley Prairie Methodist Church (M.E. Church South) is located 2 miles west from the old courthouse site in Boston, Texas, west of New Boston, Texas on FM1840. It was organized in 1890's by citizens of the community. Three people that helped form the church were A. H. Welborn, my grandfather, David Duffer and J. F. Collins. There were many more we are sure but their names are unknown. The land was donated by the Morris family. According to David P. (Pete) Duffer and Sidney Welborn, the first church had a dome ceiling and four steel rods holding the walls and dome structure. There were large double doors for the entrance, and three rows of pews with a wide isle in the middle of the church. The choir was to the left of the pulpit, which was raised a step above the congregation, and on the right side of the church were three rows of pews which was called the "Amen" corner where the stewards of the church sat. Services were held in this church until 1940, when it was torn down and the present day church was built. The present day church (1940) has three large globe lights, which came from Duffer Hardware store that was torn down. Curved pews from a Presbyterian Church in New Boston that was torn down in 1950's. The front concrete porch had lots of plow tools put into it. The pulpit dates back to the early 1800s.There is a piano that is still in good working order. The altar rail was hand made. Two old chairs were donated by the First United Methodist Church in Texarkana, Texas. Some early families attending were: Welborn, Duffer, McCright, McGee, Wilson, Grider, Howell, Dalby, Shirley and Boles to name a few. Due to loss of membership with only eight elderly members left, Godley Prairie Methodist closed its doors in 1989 as a Methodist Church. This little church is still serving the community, and for the last several years it has become Godley Prairie Methodist Mission, name change in 1995. On the west side of the church is a small cemetery. Some of the early members are buried here. The cemetery is kept by the citizens of the community. In 1970, Joel R. "Chub" Welborn did repairs to the church such as the installation of brick siding, roof repair and carpet etc. Donations came from the the community. In 1995, William D. Terral started extensive remodeling and repairs. Submitted By: Verda Terral's son, William Daniel "Danny" Terral By way of Jean Old < j.old@att.net > ********************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************