This information was found in the vertical files of the genealogy department of the Longview Public Library.

THE AVINGER CITIZEN
Special Historical Edition
June 18, 1954

METHODIST CHURCH DATES BACK TO '77

The present Avinger Methodist Church was organized and the first building built on this site in 1877, the church having previously been located three miles north, at Young's Chapel.

Dr. H. J. Avinger donated two acres, "for church purposes" to serve as the building site and the front portion of the cemetery, where the Avinger family graves are located. A.M. Rhyne later gave the balance of the acreage now taken in by the present cemetery. It is an item of note that users of the cemetery space have never had to purchase their family or individual plots as is the common practice most places now days. Thanks to the initial land donors, people desiring burial plots down through the years have simply gone over and marked off whatever amount of space they needed. Thus far the selection of sites has been done in very orderly fashion.

An early church roll book presented to the congregation by the Rev. J.B. Minnis, Oct. 15, 1892, lists the following members at that time: Arthur M. Rhyne, Mattie M. Avinger, Bell A. Eubanks, Carrie Hedick, Julia Hedick, Nannie P. Avinger, Annie Abernathy, Elmira Hearne, Frank P. Amox, Oreta Abernathy, Cora Abernathy, John L. Limburger, Elizabeth Lassater, W.L. Melton, Lillie Melton, Fannie Hearne, M.K. Sturdivant, Alcie Orr, J.M. Hooten, M.B. Hooten, M.E. Limebarger, J.A. Coleman, J.M. Bolding, D.E. Bolding, C.L. Story, S.A. Orr, Mrs. Sentell, J.E. Coleman, J.C. Melton, Grage Abernathy, Mattie J. Orr and Mellie Abernathy.

Ministers of the church from 1898 to the present time were J.E. Walker, W.M. Crowson, J.B. Minnis, C.W. Woodson, W.W. Gollihugh, D.P. Cullen, J.W. Cullen, J.H. Hamblin, John W. Wardlow, L.B. Saxon, J.L. Red, C.T. Cummings, R.E. Beaird, J.N. McCain, Robert O. Weir, Walton Day, Bernard L. Hatch, R.M. House, I.O. Dent, Paul Moon, Joe B. Wells, W.F. Stephens, J.E. Everett, Rev Davis, Clyde Thomas, B.P. Durbin, Wm. Hogg, Robert Herring and Wallace Shook. The present pastor is Jessie w. Adams, having just come here from the Lindale Methodist Church.

The present attractive brick chapel was built in 1937, during the pastorate of the Rev. Joe B. Wells now of Pasadena, Texas.

This information was found in the vertical files of the Genealogy Department of the Longview Public Library.

THE AVINGER CITIZEN
Special Historic Edition
June 18, 1954

CHARTER MEMBERS OF WSCS LISTED

Charter members of the Methodist W.S.C.S. are: Mrs. D.R. Coulter, Mrs. Cora Mitchel, Mrs. Buck Avinger, Mrs. J.R. McCain, Mrs. Lula Duncan, Mrs. N.S. Peak, Mrs. Fred Hall, Mrs. Mary Foster, Mrs. W.E. Russell, Mrs. George Pitchford, Mrs. John Hearne, Mrs. Sam Orr, Mrs. Jarvis Smith, Mrs. Marion O'Rear, Mrs. Delphia Rhyne, Mrs. Will Betts, Mrs. May Orr, Mrs. Mell Bruce, Mrs. Ozella McCain, Mrs. Carl Conner, and Miss F. Price.