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Wallace United Methodist Church

Canton, Van Zandt County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Settled in the 1840s, Wallace community grew into a rural trading center with a general store and school. This Methodist congregation, organized in 1889 by the Rev. W. D. Wheeler and eight charter members, met first in the schoolhouse. W. H. Bailey, G. J. Loughmiller, George Richards, and W. P. Wallace gave funds for the present church building, erected in 1910, during the pastorate of the Rev. D. S. Burke. Despite a decrease in rural population, this country church maintains its heritage of service to the community. (1976)

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Settled in the 1840s, the Wallace community grew into a rural trading hub with a store and school in Van Zandt County. Its Methodist congregation was organized in 1889 by the Rev. W. D. Wheeler and eight charter members, meeting first in the schoolhouse before local benefactors funded the present sanctuary in 1910. Despite the long decline of the surrounding farm population, the country church has kept up its tradition of service.

Why it matters

The church reflects the enduring rural community life of 19th-century East Texas, where congregation, store, and school together made a settlement.

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Related people

  • ยท W. D. Wheeler
  • ยท D. S. Burke

Themes & tags

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