St. John's Methodist Church
Stamford, Jones County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built 1910 in pastorate of Dr. Robert Goodrich, for congregation founded 1900 in Sledge Hall, under Rev. S. Gay. With 100' tower, long the tallest church between Dallas and El Paso. Served community of Old Stamford College (now McMurry). Has had 33 pastors up to 1964. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1964.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in 1900 in Stamford's Sledge Hall, this Methodist congregation built its permanent home in 1910 during Dr. Robert Goodrich's pastorate. Its 100-foot tower stood for years as the tallest church steeple between Dallas and El Paso, a landmark on the West Texas plains. The church served the community around Old Stamford College, the institution that grew into McMurry.
Why it matters
A soaring steeple on the open plains, the church marks how faith and education anchored the raw new towns of early-twentieth-century West Texas.
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Related people
- · Dr. Robert Goodrich
- · Rev. S. Gay
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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