Methodist Church
Ben Franklin, Delta County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Ben Franklin; Founded 1854 by efforts of "local preachers" Dan Clower and John B. Craig (former law partner of John B. Denton, for whom Denton County was named). A circuit rider, Rev. Bennett Elkins, was named Dec. 5, 1854, to serve Sulphur Forks Mission, including this church. Log walls, roof shingles and rafters were cut in sawmill of a settler, Greenville Smith. Present building was erected 800 yards from old site, 1898. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This Methodist congregation was founded in 1854 through the efforts of local preachers Dan Clower and John B. Craig, the latter a former law partner of John B. Denton. A circuit rider was assigned that December to serve the Sulphur Forks Mission, and settlers milled the logs, shingles, and rafters for the first building at a nearby sawmill. The present church was built about 800 yards from the original site in 1898.
Why it matters
The church reflects the circuit-riding Methodism that carried organized religion across frontier Texas, one log meetinghouse and traveling preacher at a time.
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Related people
- · Dan Clower
- · John B. Craig
- · Bennett Elkins
- · John B. Denton
- · Greenville Smith
Themes & tags
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