This information was found in the form of a calendar: 1848-1948 Linden Centennial Calendar, Centennial Celebration June 27, 28 & 29, 1948, Sponsored by the Lions Club of Linden, Texas.

THE CHURCHES OF LINDEN

Linden Methodist Church

In 1852, a revival was held in Linden. In 1853 the Linden Methodist Church was organized. The first church building was located where the Grade School now stands. The first pastor was Rev. William Hill.

The church was a mission church on the Linden circuit. The Pastor lived in Kildare. In 1859 a new building was erected on the lot where the W.H. Robertson home now stands. The church was rebuilt in 1906. The pastor at that time resided in Douglassville.

In 1912-1913 the Linden Charge built a parsonage in Linden, and the pastor has resided in Linden since.

In 1927 the old church was torn down, and a new building was erected on a lot deeded to the church by Mrs. Clara Henderson, who was a long-time active member of the church. The building erected on this lot was a solid brick, with a beautiful auditorium and basement containing nice church school class rooms and and kitchen. If built today it would cost $35,000.00.

In 1937 the old parsonage was sold and a new all brick parsonage was erected on a lot adjoining the church property.

Originally the Linden Charge was made up of nine churches. Atlanta at one time was part of the Linden Charge.

Starting as a small mission church, the Linden Church has grown until today its members number 275. The budget has increased from a few dollars in the beginning to more than $8,000.00, and is met weekly.

Mr. Roy Temple is now Church School Superintendent, and the Rev. J. Harvey Carlin is in his second year as pastor.

Every department of the church is well organized, and is moving forward to a yet greater service. Ninety four years old but stronger and more vigorous than at any time in its history.

The Church Of Christ

The Linden Church of Christ began functioning as a congregation of baptized belivers in Christ in 1932. For about six years previous to this time a few scattered members met more or less regularly from house to house. In 1914, (after several abortive efforts to secure a suitable meeting place) with contributions from the membership, other churches, various individuals and the business and professional interest of Linden, a neat brick veneered building was erected on a suitable lot, previously acquired, one block west of the court house, where regular Lord's Day services continued to be held.

Recently, a mid-week Bible study class, with competent teachers, was initiated and is showing a continually increasing attendance and interest.

First Baptist Church

It is a well established fact that the First Baptist Church of Linden, Texas, was organized in 1855. The record shows that Thomas Jefferson Foster, Sr. bought the first Court House ever to be constructed in Linden, in 1859, and moved it to the present church site, giving it to the Baptist Congregation and the Masons. The Baptist Congregation used the ground floor while the Masons used the upper floor. The building was destroyed by the "Cyclone of 1908".

There are no Charter members living neither is it known how many charter members there were. It is not known how many families were among the Charter members but evidence is that the Foster and Story families were among the Charter members.

All the old records were lost or destroyed by the storm of 1908. The present records have been gathered here and there and are only fragments of the original.

The present building was constructed in the year 1908. However part of the present Sunday School rooms were added some time later. The pastor's home was given to the church by Mr. C.H. Nelson Oct. 22, 1904. Later this property was sold or traded for the present parsonage. The church has in recent years bought back the original parsonage and is now using it for Sunday School rooms.

The membership of the church has grown from the few charter members to 779 as of the close of the church year September 1947. Of this number there are 497 resident members. The present enrollment of the Sunday School in 4848; the enrollment of the Training Union 119. The church also has Brotherhood and W.M.U. organizations and their auxiliaries.

The church property is valuated at $12,750.00. During the church year of 1947 contributions for local, mission and benevolent causes were $13, 383.81.