James Winford Hunt
Abilene, Taylor County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Born in present Oklahoma, James Winford Hunt grew up on the Texas High Plains. A newspaper publisher for several years, he became a Methodist minister in 1903. While a pastor in Abilene, he convinced the Northwest Texas Conference of the Methodist Church to build a college in the town. The school, McMurry College, opened in 1923 with Dr. Hunt as president. Known widely for his writings and sermons, he became a successful Christian educator. Texas Sesquincentennial 1836-1986.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Raised on the Texas High Plains, James Winford Hunt worked as a newspaper publisher before becoming a Methodist minister in 1903. While serving as a pastor in Abilene, he persuaded the Northwest Texas Conference of the Methodist Church to found a college in the city — McMurry College, which opened in 1923 with Hunt as its first president. Widely known for his writings and sermons, he made his mark as a Christian educator.
Why it matters
Hunt exemplifies how church leaders drove the spread of higher education across West Texas in the early twentieth century.
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Related people
- · James Winford Hunt
Related events
- · Founding of McMurry College
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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