First Methodist Church
Crockett, Houston County, Texas
Marker Inscription
City's first congregation and one of the oldest in Texas. Formed 1839 with Henderson Palmer as pastor. Noted Minister Littleton Fowler was presiding elder at organization. Methodists shared a structure with Crockett's other denominations until erecting a frame building on this site in 1864. The church was host to East Texas Annual Conferences of 1862, 1871, 1877, 1888. Present sanctuary, built in 1901-1902 of brick fired at site, is oldest extant house of worship in city. First sessions of newly-merged Texas Annual Conference were held here, December 3-8, 1902. (1968)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Formed in 1839 with Henderson Palmer as pastor and the noted minister Littleton Fowler presiding, this is Crockett's first congregation and among the oldest in Texas. Methodists shared space with other denominations until building their own frame sanctuary here in 1864; the present brick church, raised in 1901–1902 from brick fired on site, remains the oldest house of worship in the city.
Why it matters
Dating to the days of the Republic of Texas, the congregation is a living thread back to the earliest years of Anglo settlement and organized religion in the region.
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Related people
- · Henderson Palmer
- · Littleton Fowler
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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