Freestone County, Texas Churches A Condensed History of Jones Chapel United Methodist Church Selected Highlights, 1880-2008 By Wilbur Thirkield Titus, Historian September 10, 2008 The rich and colorful history of Jones Chapel United Methodist Church is voluminous. Much has been documented. Some has been lost. Some rests in the files of past officers and some in our memories. Space will not permit us to present it fully here, therefore we have prepared this condensation. Jones Chapel United Methodist Church of Fairfield, Texas is 128 years of age. Because of mergers, it contains three church congregations: those of the founding fathers, the Hope Well United Methodist in 1970 and Rhode Island United Methodist Church in 1986. In 1880, Fairfield Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by ex-slaves and philanthropic Christian whites. This church nestled beneath the shady groves of the east side of the Methodist Cemetery which both black and white citizens shared. These founding fathers were characterized by dedication, faithfulness, hopefulness, unselfishness, love, friendliness, and sacrificial and industrious service. The first leaders of record of the church include the Reverend G. B. Doggett, a white merchant who operated a drug store on the corner of Commerce and Keechi Streets and the following families who organized and nurtured the first church: Decatur Blain, Jim Harris, Ocie Jones, Cicero Simmons, W. M. White, B. L. McIlveen, Maggie Nolan, William Jones, Sr., W. C. Jones, and many other Jones, Rileys, McGees, Proctors, Donahues, Gentries, Hatchers, and Johnsons. On December 16, 1892, Decatur and Betty Blain deeded 1/6 acres of land for $30.00 to Ocie and Turner Jones, trustees of the church, and the church moved from the cemetery to the present site. On this new site the church struggled and grew to its present status. In 1897, during the pastorate of Reverend G. B. Doggett, with trustees C. Jones, Levy Riley, Nick Blaine, Henry Jones, James Harris, and Jack Jones Mr. Minus Johnson was employed to build a new edifice, a replica of the cornerstone is in the present fellowship hall. The church began to support all of the programs of the Methodist Church universal. Ministers who have served the church, not listed in chronological order, are Reverends G. B. Doggett, Loud, M. B. Robinson, Everett, L. S. Lamb, Kelly Black, D. W. H. Houston, R. R. Bailey, A. C. Collins, H. M. Taylor, L. C. Lister, Hanks, Amos Mayes, W. L. Brownlow, Sr., Darnell Walker, Thurman Taylor, George Hancock, B. L. McGee, W. M. Gibson, J. D. Brown, J. C. Nickerson, M. A. Jones, Clara Gilbert and Darrell Houston, Sr. District Superintendents who have served the church include Reverends M. B. Robinson, G. W. Carter, A. D. Phelps, J. H. Callier, F. D. Mayes, L. B. Allen, Frank Morton, Fortson, Phylemon Titus, J. C. Stripling, Robinson Barnes, Booker, Q. A. Fuller, J. E. Carraway, A. C. Bell, H. R. Pace, Emmett C. Barrow, L. B. Broach, David Williamson, Jim Ross and Charles R. Milikan. Sunday School Superintendents who have served faithfully include Willie Blaine, Frank Proctor, Randolph Titus, Isiah (Buddy) Carden, Sr., William H. Jones, Jr., James Milford McIlveen and Carlton R. Rischer. Trustees and Stewards . Some trustees and stewards who have served are Ed Jones, Billy McIlveen, William McGee, Gee Blaine, Willie Blaine, Frank Proctor, William (Bill) Nolan, Eugene Johnson, Sr., W. C. Blaine, James Milford McIlveen, Gerry McIlveen, Arne Henderson, Vitgil Keeton, Clifford Carden, Frank Morton, Tony L. Brackens, Sr., Randall Johnson, Elawrence Gabriel, Ronald Gabriel and Willie Tatum. In 1940, during the tenure of Reverend A. C. Collins, the church was rebuilt and oficially named Jones Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. During the process valuable records were lost. Families added to the church roll were the Bailey, Carden, Carter, Irving, Morton, Polk, and Turner families. On Sunday, May 24, 1970, during the pastorate of Reverend George Hancock, District Superintendent Phylemon Titus advised Hope Well United Methodist Church to merge with Jones Chapel. The merger was consummated and the following persons were added to the roll of Jones Chapel: Mrs. A, M. Titus, Mrs. Alberta Titus, Willie L. V. Titus, Mrs. Cora Burns, Alton Gabriel, Mrs. Lubertha Gabriel, Dorothy Gabriel, Cathy Gabriel, Machelle Gabriel, Terrell Hunter, Noah Keeton, Mrs. Gladys M. Richard, Elawrence Gabriel, Ronald Gabriel, Amelia Gabriel, Mrs. Jewel Keeton, Virgil Keeton, Sandra Keeton, Virgil Keeton, Jr., Stanley Keeton, Tony Keeton, Andre Keeton, and Jesse Govan. Music Department. Jones Chapel has always provided appropriate music to complement worship services. Some persons remembered for lining hymns and leading pray services are Mrs. Cora "Ludie" Jones, Willie Blaine, Eugene Johnson, Sr., J. C. Turner, Mrs. Roxie Bailey and Mrs. Odessa Carter. Organists and pianists who have served include Miss Lura C. Johnson, Mrs. Mae V. Donahue, Willie Blaine, William "Buddy" Blaine, Miss Marva Jo Golden, Mrs. Carolyn McIlveen, Mrs. Eva Lois McIlveen, Mrs. Grace McIlveen, Miss Edna O. Titus, Johnnie H. Titus, Miss Guessippina Bonner, Miss Norma Carden, Mrs. Bertha B. Taylor, Miss Shetonia Brackens, Gerry McIlveen, Sr., Brent Polk, Mrs. Annette Willis, Mrs. Joyce Willis, Dr. E. V. Moore and Clarence Kelly. Drummers who have served are Tony Lynn Brackens, Jr., Jonathan Lott, Shawn Moore, Bryan Grant, Donovan Washington, Gerry Geon McIlveen, Frank Morton, III, Caleb Scires, and Darrell (D. J) Houston, Jr. Ministers who began their ministries in Jones Chapel are Reverends Clifton N. Bonner, L. C. Gant, Clifford Estelle McIlveen, Addison Canady, Torrance Johnson, George Curtis Owens, Michael Daniels, Sandra McIlveen Goolsby and Brent Polk. In 1978, Reverend W. M. Gibson appointed a building committee, chaired by Tony Brackens, Sr. to spearhead the building of a new sanctuary and to convert the existing sanctuary into a fellowship hall. An account of $324.00 was opened with the First National Bank on September 19,1978. Reverend J. D. Brown, wife Doris and daughter LaVerne came to Jones Chapel in 1983 and brought expertise in finance and church building. Working with the General Conference, our members and friends, he, the building committee and trustees completed the project in 1983. Reverend J. C. Nickerson followed Reverend Brown as pastor of Jones. Chapel. Two significant events occurred during his administration. First, under the leadership of the Finance Committee, chaired by William McIlveen, the church's building note was paid in November 1987 by sacrificial giving and hard work on the part of the membership in just five years. This saved the church hundreds of dollars! The next event was the merger of Rhode Island United Methodist Church with Jones Chapel in 1986. The merger brought members Ned Craw, Beaulah B. Keeton, Ida Belle Bonner, Joel Tally, Eulasea Perkins, Martha Ann Grayson, Martha Ruth Jackson and Gwendolyn Denise Jackson to the Jones Chapel membership roll. From 1991 to 1995, Reverend Clara Gilbert served as pastor and brought good leadership. The church prospered spiritually and financially. The membership grew and some of the ministries were expanded. The income of the church increased which made it possible for a copy machine, van, television, VCR, organ and other equipment and supplies for the youth to be purchased. In 1995, Reverend George Hancock replaced Reverend Glibert. Under his leadership, the church continued to prosper. Reverend Darrell Houston, a young single minister served the church well. He married a local girl, Miss Sylvia Gatson on April 10,999. Mrs. Houston and their son Darrel (D. J.) assisted him with his work. Pastor Elnora Marie Nunnally and her husband Andrew came to the church in 2008 from Houston, Texas. Her staff includes Gerry McIlveen, Administrative Board/Council Chairperson and Charge Lay Leader, Elawrence Gabriel, Council on Ministries and Board of Trustees Chairperson, Tony L. Brackens, Sr., Treasurer, Arne Henderson, Chairperson, Committee on Finance, Recording Secretary, Regina Washington, Financial Secretary, Muriel Morton, Sherry A. Brackens, President of Methodist Women, Carlton R. Rischer, President of Methodist Men and Superintendent of Sunday School, Amelia Gabriel Tatum, Youth Fellowship Leader and Coordinator of Children's Ministries, Shetonia Scires, Pianist/Choir Director, Vernita Gabriel, Chairperson of Christian Education, Venterlene McIlveen, Chairperson of Worship, Jewel Keeton, Chairperson of Evangelism, Dorsey J. Johnson, Chairperson of Stewardship, Anna J. Henderson, Coordinator of Adult Ministries, Clara Mc Ilveen, Coordinator of Senior Adults, Helene Johnson, Coordinator of Singles Ministry, Christine Manning, Chairperson of Christian Unity and Coordinator of Family Ministries, Callie Bowens, Chairperson of Health and Welfare, Stanley Washington, Scouting Coordinator and Alchohol and Drug Abuse Representative. (For additional information see History of Freestone County, Vol. 1, p. 116.)