Faith United Methodist Church
Dickinson, Galveston County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Faith United Methodist Church This congregation grew from the merger of two historically African-American Methodist congregations in Dickinson and League City. The first, Warren Chapel, was named for its founder, Richard H. Warren, who preached at the homes of Sophie Monroe and Wilimina Toussaitn in 1889 to begin the church. Regular worship services were then held in the home of Shed Slaughter. In 1900, Warren was accepted as an ordained deacon in the Methodist Church, and the following year he was appointed minister of the Dickinson Circuit, which included La Marque, Hitchcock, Dickinson and League City. Warren Chapel's first church building was constructed in 1901 with lumber that had washed ashore in the aftermath of the 1900 storm. Warren served as minister until 1904, and the congregation continued to build its membership. Winfield Chapel, founded at League City by Alex Winfield, Sr., received a donation of land about 1907 and built its first sanctuary on the site. A 1932 storm destroyed that building, and a new one was completed about 10 years later. Circuit riders held worship services for the small congregation. In December 1966, the district superintendent called a meeting to discuss a union of these two historic churches. In June 1967, the merger of Warren Chapel and Winfield Chapel as Warren-Winfield Chapel became official. Two years later, the church moved to its present location and consecrated as Faith United Methodist Church. With strength in its members, the church has developed significant programs of outreach, education and ministries. (2002)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This congregation descends from two historically African-American Methodist churches on the Galveston County mainland. Warren Chapel began in 1889 with the Rev. Richard H. Warren preaching in Dickinson homes, and its first sanctuary went up in 1901 from lumber that washed ashore after the catastrophic 1900 storm; Winfield Chapel took root at League City around the same time. After more than seventy-five years the two merged in 1967 and soon consecrated a new home as Faith United Methodist Church.
Why it matters
Built literally from the wreckage of the deadliest natural disaster in American history, these congregations show how Black Texans rebuilt community and faith after the 1900 Galveston hurricane.
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Related people
- · Richard H. Warren
- · Alex Winfield, Sr.
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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