Macedonia United Methodist Church
Jefferson, Marion County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Following the Civil War and emancipation, freed slaves began to see the need for a place to collectively worship and gather. As a result, newly freed slaves in Western Marion County decided to organize a church under the leadership of Henry Smith. The first meeting place was located on a plot of land called “the Leigh High Hill” owned by Leigh High, a white settler in the area. According to local testimonials, the church was officially organized in April 1872. The group named themselves Macedonia Methodist Episcopal Church. Henry Smith was the first pastor. In 1874, Paul Mathis, a member of the church, decided to organize a school within the church. After two years, the school, named Macedonia, relocated to the private residence of John and Mahala Hall. By 1910, the school was again relocated to the church campus. In 1891, the membership erected their first building on the Halls’ land, a few hundred feet south of the present location. Several years later, this building was destroyed by fire. In 1908, the church purchased two acres of land from W.B. Ward and a new building was erected. Additional land was purchased in 1920 and the church building was rebuilt in 1940 to accommodate increasing membership. As a result of the depression and World War II, membership began to decline. In 1968, Lodwick and Smyrna Methodist Churches merged with Macedonia and attendance rose. The church was renamed Macedonia United Methodist Church. Along with building improvements, a fellowship hall was added for dinners, meetings and events. Macedonia United Methodist Church continues to have a strong presence in the community.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
After the Civil War and emancipation, freedpeople in western Marion County gathered under the leadership of Henry Smith and, on land belonging to a white settler named Leigh High, organized Macedonia Methodist Episcopal Church in April 1872. Within two years the congregation founded its own school, and over the following decades it built and rebuilt sanctuaries as fire, growth, and hard times demanded. A 1968 merger renewed the congregation, which endures as Macedonia United Methodist Church.
Why it matters
Macedonia's long life shows how Black churches doubled as schools and community anchors, institutions freedpeople created and sustained across generations of change.
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Related people
- · Henry Smith
- · Leigh High
- · Paul Mathis
Themes & tags
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