First United Methodist Church Cemetery
Center, Shelby County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The First United Methodist Church Cemetery, one of the oldest in Shelby County, is located in the Nancy Smith survey of land deeded by Judge M.W. Wheeler and Sam Samford to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The first burial was that of a small child in 1861. The last recorded burial was in 1939. Most of the burials in the cemetery are before 1900. Thirteen Masonic members, five Civil War veterans, a minister, doctor, and numerous businessmen, including R.L. Parker, the father of Center, are buried here. The cemetery has been beautified with blooming plants and a flagstone walkway. Several family plots are marked with antique iron fencing.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Among the oldest cemeteries in Shelby County, this Methodist burying ground opened with the grave of a small child in 1861, as the Civil War was just beginning. Most of those laid to rest here were buried before 1900, including five Civil War veterans, thirteen Masons, a minister, a doctor, and R. L. Parker, remembered as the father of Center. Antique iron fencing and family plots still mark the ground, now softened with blooming plants and a flagstone walk.
Why it matters
The cemetery preserves the founding generation of a Texas county seat, its Civil War veterans and civic leaders resting together as a physical record of the community they built.
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Related people
- · R. L. Parker
- · M. W. Wheeler
- · Sam Samford
Themes & tags
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