A Condensed History of Jones Chapel United Methodist Selected Highlights, 1880 - 2009 By Wilbur Thirkield Titus, Historian October 19, 2009 Because the rich and colorful history of Jones Chapel United Methodist Church is voluminous, space will not permit us to present if fully here, therefore we have prepared this condensation. Jones Chapel United Methodist Church of Fairfield, Texas is 129 years of age. Because of mergers, it contains three church congregations: those of the founding fathers, the Hope Well United Methodist in the 1970 and Rhode Island United 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, Sr., W. C. Jones, and many other Joneses, 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 Blain, 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, J. C. Lister, , Hanks, A. M. Mayes, W. L. Brownlow, Sr., Darnell Walker, , Thurman Taylor, George Hancock, B. L. McGee, W. W. Gibson, J. D. Brown, J. C. Nickerson, M. A. Jones, Clara Gilbert, Darrell Houston, Sr., and Elnora M. Nunnally. Districts Superintendents who have served the church include Reverends B. M. Houston, G. W. Carter, A. D. Phelps, J. H. Callier, F. D. Mayes, Frank Fortson, L. B. Allen, 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, Charles Millikan, , Nick Scholars Sunday School Superintendents who served faithfully include Willie Blain, Frank Proctor, Randolph Titus, Isiah "Buddy" Carden, Sr., William H. Jones, Jr., James Milford McIlveen, Carlton R. Rischer, King H. Titus, Sr., Mrs. Fannie Keeton Trustees and Stewards of record include Ed Jones, Billy McIlveen, William McGee, Gee Blain, Willie Blain, Frank Proctor, William (Bill) Nolan, Eugene Johnson, Sr., W. C. Blain, James M. McIlveen, Gerry McIlveen, Arne Henderson, Virgil Keeton, Sr., William McIlveen, Isiah Carden, Eugene Johnson, Jr., Edward Johnson, Sr., Clifford Carden, Frank Morton, Jr., Johnny Johnson, Tony L. Brackens, Sr., Randall Johnson, Elawrence Gabriel, Ronald Gabriel, Willie Tatum, and Sandras Gatson. Charge Lay Leaders : Edward Johnson, Sr., Mrs. A. M. Titus, Ned Craw. Gerry McIlveen, Elawrence Gabriel Women’s Society of Christian Service/ Methodist Women, Mrs. A. M. Titus, Mrs. Beaulah B. Keeton, Mrs. Sherry A. Brackens, Methodist Men Presidents, Isiah "Buddy" Carden, Wilbur T. Titus, Elawrence Gabriel, Gerry McIlveen, Jimmy Smith, and Carlton R. Rischer. Reconstruction of the Church. During the tenure of Reverend A. C. Collins in 1940, the church was rebuilt and officially named Jones Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. Rain destroyed valuable records that were poorly stored. The Bailey, Carden, Carter, Irving, Morton, Polk, and Turner families were added to the roll of the church. First Merger. On Sunday, May 24, 1970, during the pastorate of Reverend George Hancock, Superintendent Phylemon Titus advised the members fo Hope Well United Methodist Church to merge with Jones Chapel United Methodist Church. 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, Noah Keeton, Mrs. Cora Burns, Amelia Gabriel, Elawrence Gabriel, William Alton Gabriel, Mrs. Lubertha Gabriel, Dorothy Gabriel, Machelle Gabriel, Ronald Gabriel, Jessie Govan, Terrell Hunter, Sr., Virgil Keeton, Sr., Virgil Keeton, Jr., Mrs. Jewel Keeton, Andre Keeton, Sandra Keeton, Stanley Keeton, Sonya Keeton, Tony B. Keeton, and Gladys M. Richard, Music Department. The three churches that comprise Jones Chapel have always provided appropriate music for its worship services. Some persons who are remembered for lining hymns and leading prayer service are Mrs. Cora "Ludie" Jones, Willie Blaine, Eugene Johnson, Sr., J. C. Turner, Mrs. Roxie Bailey, Mrs. Odessa Carter. Willis Gabriel, Mrs. Fannie Govan and Mrs. Florida Lee. Pianists and organist who have served are Miss Lura C. Johnson, Mrs. Mae V. Donahue, Willie Blaine, William "Buddy" Blaine, Miss Marva Jo Golden, Miss 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 D. McIlveen, Brent Polk, Mrs. Annette Willis, Mrs. Joyce Willis, Clarence Kelly, Mrs. Fannie Keeton and Dr. E. V. Moore. Choir Presidents, William McIlveen, Sr., Mrs. Sherry A. Brackens Soloists, Sopranos: Rowena Winfield, Leophia Carden, Sherry Brackens, Sheila Johnson, and Regina Washington. Altos, Clara McIlveen, Amelia Tatum, Helene Johnson and Muriel Morton; Contralto, Dorsey J. Johnson. Tenors Wilbur T. Titus, Sandras Gatson, and Gerry McIlveen; Baritones William McIlveen, Sr., Elawrence Gabriel, Arne Henderson, and Bass Tony L. Brackens, Sr. Drummers who have served are Tony L. Brackens, Jr., Jonathan Lott, Shawn Moore, Bryan Grant, Donovan Washington, Gerry Geon McIlveen, Frank Morton, III, Caleb Scires, and Darrell Houston, Jr. Ministers who began their ministries in Jones Chapel are Reverends Lesley McIlveen, Benjamin Harrison Keeton, Eva Keeton, Johnny Mullen, Clifton Napoleon Bonner, L. C. Gant, Clifford Estelle McIlveen, Addison Canady, Torrance Johnson, George Curtis Owens, Michael Daniels, Sandra McIlveen Goolsby, and Brent Polk. In 1978, during the pastorate of Reverend W. W. Gibson, Tony L. Brackens, Sr, was appointed chairman of a committee that was lead in building a new sanctuary and to convent the existing building into a fellowship hall. A building fund account in the amount of $324.00 was established with the First National Bank of Fairfield on September 19, 1978. Reverend J. D. Brown, his wife Doris and daughter LaVerne came to Jones Chapel in 1983. Under his leadership, the church worked with the General Conference, members and friends and completed the project in 1985. Two significant events occurred during the pastorate of Reverend J. C. Nickerson, who followed Reverend Brown as pastor of the Jones Chapel. The first was the Merger of Rhode Island United Methodist Church with Jones Chapel in 1986. The merger brought Ned Craw, Beaulah B. Keeton, Ida Belle Bonner, Joel Tally, Eulasea Perkins, Martha Ann Grayson, Martha Ruth Jackson, and Gwendolyn Jackson to the roll of Jones Chapel. The second was the early payment of the building note in 1987 under the leadership of the Finance Committee, chaired by William McIlveen, Sr. The church continued to prosper during the pastorates of Reverends Matthew A. Jones, Sr., Clara Gilbert, George Hancock, Darrell Houston, and Elnora M. Nunnally. From 1991 until 1995, under the leadership of Reverend Gilbert, the church prospered spiritually and financially. The membership grew and some of the ministries were expanded. The income was increased therefore the church was able to purchase a copy machine, van, organ, television, VCR, and other equipment and supplies for the youth of the church. 1996-2008 Reverend Darrell Houston, a young single minister served the church well. He married a local girl, Miss Sylvia Gatson on April 10, 1999. Mrs. Houston and their son Darrell (D. J. ) Assisted him with his work. Pastor Elnora Marie Nunnally and her husband Andrew came to the church in June of 2008 from Houston, Texas. . She brings to the church much training, expertise and experience in administration and working with groups. Her experience in healthcare administration, church ministries and assignments and her focus on helping people and making disciples of Jesus Christ and her endeavor to bring compassion and healing to people more that qualify her for the position. In 2009, using funds left to Hope Well United Church by former member Mrs. Cecile Lee McFarland, the church has approved plans to make additions to the sanctuary, providing a library, pastor’s study and other offices and has purchased a new van. For additional information consult the individual church records and History of Freestone, Vol. 1, p. 116.