METHODIST SHARED FIRST MEETING HOUSE IN LONGVIEW ***************************************************************** 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. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ Submitted by Mary Love Berryman - marylove@tyler.net Director of the Computer Interest Group, ETGS 25 April 2002 ***************************************************************** Originally published in the East Texas Family Records, Volume 4, Number 3, Fall 1980, by East Texas Genealogical Society. METHODIST SHARED FIRST MEETING HOUSE IN LONGVIEW Article reprinted courtesy Longview Newspapers, Inc. from the LONGVIEW MORNING JOURNAL Centennial Album dated May 3, 1970. Provided by Nrs. James Selman, 912 Arkansas, Longview, Texas 75601. (Editor1s Note: This account of the development of the Methodist faith in Longview was written for the Longview News­ournal in July, 1931 by Mrs. J. C. Howard.) In 1845 the old Methodist church in this community was a log building, located near the present cotton compress, called "the Meeting House." This first church structure was used by other protestant denominations, school was taught there and community meetinos were held under the rustic beams. Dr. Ellis, a practicing physician and lay preacher, and the Rev. D.M. Stovall were in charge. The Rev. Robert D. Wyche was probably the first Methodist pastor in this area. About 1860 the log church was abandoned and Dr. Job Taylor supervised the construction of a new church in the area known as Earpville. This church was the center of Methodist activities until when the Texas & Pacific Railroad moved into Longview. The Earpville Church was torn down and reconstructed at the present church site, Fredonia and Whaley Streets, about 1873. This frame building was used only a short time before it was replaced by what was said to be the first brick church building in Texas. When the Rev. D.F. Fuller arrived in Longview in 1874, he began pleading for a brick building. His congregation, however, showed little interest in the pastor's project until the visit of the church's presiding elder, Dr. John McLean. When Dr. McLean came to Longview to preach one Sunday night, roving hogs squealing under the open frame foundation disturbed the congregation to such an extent that the next day more that $7,000 was subscribed to begin the new brick building. J.W. boring, Alex Methvin, Tom Buttrill and Dr. Taylor were church leaders who supervised the construction of this building which would be used 27 vears. Methodists also fostered the construction of the Fowler Chapel on Sixth Street, named in 1892 for the Rev. L.M. Fowler, and Baraca Hall, which was built in 1902 under the leadership of the Rev. J.W. Bergin. At least four future ministers, Alex Methvin, Ben Hines, C.D. Williams and H.T. Morgan, were members of this very early church. Tne first organ, an old-style Mason and Hamlin pedal-operated model, was purchased a few years after the brick church was built. Miss Alice Kelly (Mrs. J.W. Yates) was the first organist and Miss Mollie Chancy (the church's oldest living member in 1970) was her assistant. As Longview grew even the brick building became inadequate and in 1900 construction began on Kelly Memorial Methodist Church. G.A. Kelly served as both architect and contractor for the church named in honor of his family. The cnurch has had as superintendents such men as Capt. Stephen May, Joe Boring, C.P. Carter, Gaines Turner, Sam Proud and R.M. Kelly, who held the post 21 years. Kelly was succeeded bv W.P. Carlock, H.C. McGred and Henry Foster. Mrs. E.R. Boring, daughter of early Methodist minister B.W. Brown, and Mrs. B.M. Catterton joined this church over 40 years ago in 1882. The Ladies Aid Society was organized in 1885 at Mrs. Boring's home and in 1836 the Foreign Missionary Society was started with Mrs. Josie Taylor as its first president. Records show that the first missionary society had 26 members who sold homemade bonnets for 25 cents each. The amount in the treasurv when the sale began was $1.46. A few vears later the home Mission Society, which merged with the Foreign Mission Society in 1919, was organized. Mrs. K. M. Bramlette was the first director of a youth organization, the Gleaners, founded in 1910. Mrs. J.W. Yates and Mrs. Joe Battle were among the early church members who supported missionary scholarships. The first church parsonage was built in 1894 under the leadership of B.C. Scudday. Other ministers who worked with the church before the turn of the century included T.B. Norwood, J.F. Scurlock, AC. MoDougal, J.S. Matthews, D.P. Cullen, J.T. Smith, G.A. LeClere, S.H. Nettles, J.W. Downs, A.J. Frick, C.R. Lamar and Isaac Alexander. B.H. Greathouse, the first 20th century pastor, was followed hv C.J. Oxley, J.L. Massey, Bergin, B.C. Willis, Glen Flinn, W.D. White, W.F. Andrews, H.T. Perritte, C.U. McLarty, Frank E. Luker, J. Coy Williams, W.R. Swain and T.S. Barcus, pastor during the oil boom.