McLean Methodist Church
McLean, Gray County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This congregation, organized in the early 1900s, is thought to be the oldest denominational church in Gray County. The Rev. G. R. Fort served as first pastor. Methodists in McLean met in a one-room schoolhouse until their first sanctuary was constructed at this site in 1904. Groups within the congregation, including Ladies Home Missionary Society, have provided active service and leadership to the community. Descendants of some of the original members still worship here. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Organized in the early 1900s as settlers filled the Texas Panhandle, this congregation is thought to be the oldest denominational church in Gray County. Methodists in McLean met in a one-room schoolhouse under the first pastor, the Rev. G. R. Fort, until they built their first sanctuary here in 1904. Lay groups such as the Ladies Home Missionary Society gave the young town service and leadership, and descendants of the founders still worship here.
Why it matters
On the newly settled Panhandle plains, a church was one of the first signs a railroad town meant to stay, knitting scattered homesteaders into a community.
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Related people
- · Rev. G. R. Fort
Themes & tags
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