First United Methodist Church of Royse City
Royse City, Rockwall County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This fellowship, first known as the "Methodist Episcopal Church, South", was organized in 1887. The Rev. James McDugald (1847-1929) became the circuit rider for Royse City, Blackland, Fate, and Mt. Zion. Services were held in a schoolhouse until 1890 when land on Church Street was acquired from R. A. McCasland for the first church building in Royse City. This structure, erected in 1904, is on property which also belonged to the McCasland Family. (1978)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Organized in 1887 as the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, this fellowship was served by circuit rider the Rev. James McDugald, who rode among Royse City and several neighboring communities. Services met in a schoolhouse until land on Church Street was acquired in 1890 for the town's first church building, erected in 1904. The congregation grew alongside the young North Texas town.
Why it matters
The circuit-riding preacher and the schoolhouse congregation are enduring images of how Methodism and community faith took root across the settling American frontier.
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Related people
- · James McDugald
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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