Martha's Chapel
Walker County, Walker County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Robinson's settlement became a stronghold for Methodist activity in Southeast Texas in the early 1830s. By 1839 a campground, church, and school were established here on land given by William and Elizabeth Robinson to The Rev. Littleton Fowler, Superintendent of Methodism in the Republic of Texas. Early clergy who visited and served here included Isaac Strickland, Jesse Hord, Joseph P. Sneed, and Bishop Thomas A. Morris. The Fourth Texas Methodist Conference met here in 1843, with Bishop James O. Andrew presiding. The church and the area became known as Martha's Chapel in 1854 after Martha Palmer, wife of a church trustee, died and was buried behind the church building. During the pastorate of The Rev. James G. Johnson (1812-1887), it was also referred to as Johnson's Chapel. At his death, Johnson bequeathed funds to complete the construction of the third and last place of worship at this site. It was dedicated on October 18, 1887, by Bishop W. W. Duncan. Although the congregation disbanded in the 1930s, ending a century of Methodism in this area, the Martha's Chapel Cemetery remains as a reminder of the area's pioneer heritage.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In the early 1830s the Robinson settlement became a stronghold of Methodism in southeast Texas, and by 1839 a campground, church, and school stood on land given to circuit-riding superintendent Littleton Fowler. The Fourth Texas Methodist Conference met here in 1843, and the site took the name Martha's Chapel in 1854 after a trustee's wife was buried behind the church. Though the congregation disbanded in the 1930s after a century of worship, the cemetery still marks the community's pioneer roots.
Why it matters
It traces how frontier Methodism—carried by circuit riders and camp meetings—helped knit scattered settlers into communities across the young Republic and state of Texas.
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Related people
- · Littleton Fowler
Themes & tags
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