First United Methodist Church of Henderson
Henderson, Rusk County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This congregation was organized by the Rev. Preston W. Hobbs in 1842, one year before Rusk County was created, as part of the Shawnee mission. That appointment was renamed Henderson in 1843, when the Rev. Orin Hatch was appointed pastor. Other ministers have included prominent circuit rider William Craig, and J. W. Fields, who helped establish a Methodist school, the Fowler Institute, in 1850. Throughout its history which dates back to the days of the Republic of Texas, First United Methodist Church of Henderson has provided community service and leadership.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Organized in 1842 by the Rev. Preston W. Hobbs during the days of the Republic of Texas, this congregation predates Rusk County itself. Its early ministers included the noted circuit rider William Craig and J. W. Fields, who helped found the Fowler Institute, a Methodist school, in 1850. Through more than a century it has anchored community service and leadership in Henderson.
Why it matters
Frontier congregations like this one carried both faith and formal schooling into a raw republic, becoming lasting pillars of civic life in East Texas.
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Related people
- · Preston W. Hobbs
- · William Craig
- · J. W. Fields
Themes & tags
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