Avery Methodist Church
Avery, Red River County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The Douglas Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized in 1896. A one-room frame church building with a steeple and belfry was constructed, and shared with other denominations. It was also used as a school until 1901. The town of Douglas was renamed Avery in 1902. The Avery Methodist Church was a mission church for many years. A Sunday School, youth group, and Women's Missionary Society were organized. The church achieved full-station status in 1950. Several building facilities were added over the years. This active church has served the community for over 100 years. (1996)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In the cotton country of Northeast Texas, a small frame church with a steeple and belfry rose in 1896 in a settlement then called Douglas. Like many rural churches of its era it did double duty, sheltering other denominations and serving as a schoolhouse until 1901. When the town was renamed Avery in 1902, the congregation carried on as a mission church, slowly building youth and missionary groups before reaching full-station status in 1950.
Why it matters
It captures how a single frontier church could anchor a young Texas town as school, meeting hall, and spiritual home all at once.
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Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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