A Century of the Methodist Church
Hearne, Robertson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Methodists of Hearne organized their church in Nov. 1870 with the Rev. Horace Bishop as pastor. In 1884 the Rev. Seth Ward became pastor. A church was constructed at this location in 1885. (Later the Rev. Mr. Ward was first native Texan to be made a bishop in the Methodist church.) Through gifts and pledges of the membership, present edifice was built, 1931; renovated, 1965. Having adopted name "Grace" in 1948, congregation became Grace United Methodist Church in 1958 and observed 100th Anniversary of Methodism in Hearne in 1970.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The Methodists of Hearne organized their congregation in November 1870, in the raw years of Reconstruction, with the Rev. Horace Bishop as their first pastor. A church rose on this site in 1885 under the Rev. Seth Ward, who would later become the first native Texan elevated to bishop in the Methodist church. The present edifice was built in 1931 and renovated in 1965, and the congregation—renamed Grace United Methodist Church—marked a full century of Methodism in Hearne in 1970.
Why it matters
Local congregations were the social backbone of frontier Texas towns, and the rise of a native-born Texan to bishop reflects how these communities grew their own leadership over a century.
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Related people
- · Horace Bishop
- · Seth Ward
Themes & tags
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