Alexander Methodist Chapel
Bryan, Brazos County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Organized in 1854 by Robert Alexander, Circuit Rider. First church built of hand-hewn logs in 1856 by early settlers, George Fullerton, Hugh Henry, Jim Walker, John Walker, E.W. Thompson and others. Ten acres of church land donated by Eliz Boatwright and John Singleton was deeded to the following trustees: James Walker, William Lawrence, John B. Wallace, William Glass and Harvey Mitchell. Second church was built in 1908 - W.D. Gardner, Pastor. Third church was built in 1939 - Willard Smith, Pastor.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Circuit rider Robert Alexander organized this Methodist congregation in 1854, and two years later early settlers raised its first sanctuary from hand-hewn logs on land donated by neighboring families. As the Brazos County community took hold, the humble log chapel gave way to larger frame churches in 1908 and again in 1939. The names recorded on its founding deed read like a roster of the district's pioneer households.
Why it matters
Frontier churches organized by traveling circuit riders were often the first institutions in a new Texas settlement, binding scattered families into a community.
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Related people
- · Robert Alexander
- · Harvey Mitchell
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Alexander Cemetery
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