Cedar Street United Methodist Church
Tyler, Smith County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This congregation traces its history to a Sunday School organized in 1887 in one of the new suburban neighborhoods north of Tyler. Created to serve people living away from the town's central Methodist Church (now Marvin United Methodist Church), the Sunday School classes met in homes until September 1888, when a new congregation was organized under the leadership of the Rev. Lacy Boone. First known as Tyler City Mission, the congregation met for worship services in private homes until this property was acquired and construction was begun on a sanctuary in early 1889. The church was renamed Cedar Street Methodist Church in the 1890s. As the congregation continued to grow, it became an integral part of its neighborhood. A new sanctuary was completed in 1916, and additional facilities were built in succeeding years. Continued growth resulted in the construction of a larger auditorium in 1948. Throughout its history, Cedar Street United Methodist Church has been closely associated with the neighborhood. Its membership has fluctuated in response to economic and physical changes in the surrounding area. It continues to serve a diverse membership and remains an important part of the city of Tyler.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This congregation grew from a Sunday School begun in 1887 in a new suburb north of Tyler, formed to serve families living away from the town's central Methodist church. Organized as a congregation in 1888 under the Rev. Lacy Boone, it built its first sanctuary in 1889 and took the name Cedar Street in the 1890s. Through new sanctuaries in 1916 and 1948 the church stayed closely woven into the changing fortunes of its neighborhood.
Why it matters
Cedar Street United Methodist reflects how neighborhood churches anchored the growing suburbs of turn-of-the-century Texas towns and rose and fell with the communities around them.
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Related people
- · Rev. Lacy Boone
Themes & tags
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