Centennial of Methodism in Commerce
Commerce, Hunt County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Two Methodist congregations, Lebanon (1.5 mi. E) and Mt. Zion (5 mi. SE), served the earliest settlers of the Commerce area. As the community grew, local Methodists began worshiping in a schoolhouse on Pecan Street. In 1881, four years before Commerce was incorporated, they were joined in a Union Church by the Lebanon fellowship. A separate sanctuary was built on Church Street in 1890. A later structure on Park Street, completed in 1907, served until the present facility was built in 1968. For over 100 years the church has actively led in community development.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Two early congregations, Lebanon and Mt. Zion, served the first settlers around Commerce before local Methodists began gathering in a schoolhouse on Pecan Street. In 1881, four years before the town was incorporated, they joined the Lebanon fellowship in a Union Church, then built their own sanctuary in 1890, followed by larger buildings in 1907 and 1968. For more than a century the church has been a force in the town's growth.
Why it matters
The congregation's century mirrors the making of a Texas town, where a church often took root before the community around it was even chartered.
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Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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