Methodist Episcopal Church of Douglassville
Douglassville, Cass County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Area Methodists established a church on this site in 1856, shortly after the founding of Douglassville. It replaced arbors and campgrounds as the center of worship, and was first served by circuit riders. Land was bought from Williamson Petty by board of trustees, which included R. P. Rutland, A. H. Chappell, S. L. Easley, J. E. Morris, W. L. and B. G. Heath, R. A. Brooks, T. J. Wilson, and J. H. Snipes. The trustees purchased land for the parsonage in 1870. The present building, erected in 1908, was remodeled and enlarged in 1947.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Area Methodists founded a church on this site in 1856, soon after Douglassville itself was established, replacing open-air arbors and campgrounds as the community's center of worship. Served at first by traveling circuit riders, the congregation bought land for a parsonage in 1870. The present building, raised in 1908, was later remodeled and enlarged.
Why it matters
From brush arbors to a permanent sanctuary, the church charts how circuit-riding Methodism helped settle and civilize antebellum East Texas.
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Themes & tags
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