Jewett Methodist Church
Jewett, Leon County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The town of Jewett was laid out in December 1871 on the International & Great Northern Railroad line. By 1872 Methodists in the area were meeting for worship services in the home of William R. and Patience Horn Ellis. With the assistance of circuit-riding minister James J. Davis, the Jewett Methodist Church congregation was organized. In 1873 church trustees purchased land at the corner of Marion and West 2nd Street. Church members soon built a frame sanctuary which faced onto Marion Street. It continued to serve the congregation until 1899, when the church purchased three lots on 2nd street across from the original sanctuary. A new white frame structure with a high steeple was built in 1900. The congregation grew steadily, and by 1900 included 191 members. In addition to worship services, programs included a Sunday School and women's missionary societies. A new church complex was built in the 1950s. The Jewett Church was a member of various Methodist circuits over the years until it became a full station in 1989. It continues to uphold the traditions of its founders, offering a variety of worship, educational, and outreach programs.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The town of Jewett was platted in 1871 along the new International & Great Northern Railroad, and within a year area Methodists were meeting in the home of William and Patience Ellis. With help from circuit rider James J. Davis they organized formally, bought land in 1873, and raised a frame sanctuary, replaced in 1900 by a white-steepled church serving a growing congregation of nearly 200. Later worship complexes followed, and in 1989 the church became a full station after decades on Methodist circuits.
Why it matters
The congregation's story shows how railroad towns and the tireless circuit-riding preachers who followed the tracks together spread organized religion across post-Civil War Texas.
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Related people
- · William R. Ellis
- · Patience Horn Ellis
- · James J. Davis
Themes & tags
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