Dallas Methodist Churches
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Churches and schools always speak much praise for our city. The whites and colored people of Dallas have church buildings in the city at which they assemble to worship every Sunday.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized in Dallas in 1850, by Rev. Andrew Cumming, with 11 members, when Dallas has a population of about 200. The members worshipped in a little house which was also used by other denominations, changing around, one denomination using it one Sunday, another the next, and so on. The first Methodist preacher, however, that lived in the little town of Dallas was a local preacher, Rev. James A. Smith, a farmer, who baptized the first Methodist child in Dallas county, Astor Pryor, who now lives in the county.
This little church, of 11 members in 1850, has kept pace with the rapid growth of the city, and today it has a membership of 600 and a most handsome edifice on Commerce street. Rev. J. O. Jones, present pastor; membership of the Sunday School, 250.
In addition to the First Church, the Methodists also have the following churches, which were established principally through the First Church, and each has a most handsome church building.
The Floyd Street Methodist Church, South, was organized by R. M. Powell in 1874, with 30 members. It now has a membership of about 400; number of members of Sunday School, 150. The present pastor is R.S. Riggan. It is situated on Floyd street, near the Union depot.
The South Dallas Methodist Episcopal Church, South, situated at the corner of Snodgrass and Cigar streets, was organized in 1888 by Rev. W. H. Hughes, with about 20 members; now has a membership of 300. Rev. W. F. Clark is now the pastor, number of members of Sunday school, 150.
East Dallas Methodist Episcopal Church, South, located near the Fair grounds, was organized by Rev. J. W. Blackburn in 1889, with about 20 members. It has a membership at present of 120, and a Sunday school with a membership of 100. Its present pastor is Rev. Lee A. Hanson.
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, South, located at the corner of Trinidad and Philp streets, was organized by Rev. W. F. Clark in 1885, with a membership of 25. Present membership, 300; pastor, Rev. L. P. Smith; Sunday school membership, 150.
Oak Lawn Methodist Episcopal Church, South, located in the beautiful suburb of Oak Lawn, was organized in 1884, with about 30 members, by Rev. William Cullom. Present pastor, Rev. A. C. McVoy; membership, 100; Sunday school membership, 100.
West Dallas Methodist Episcopal Church, South, called St. Mark's, was organized by Rev. C. G. Shutt, in 1888, with 25 or 30 members. Present pastor, Rev. Mr. Thompson; membership about 75.
The Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church, whose house of worship is situated corner Main and St. Paul streets, was organized in 1874 by Rev. L. H. Carhart, then pastor. It has grown to a membership of 250. The following pastors have served the church since its establishment: Revs. W. A. Allen, W. P. Armstrong, J. H. Reat, S. A. Thomson, J. R. Wolf, and G. I. McClaughlin, who is the present pastor. Rev. L. A. Neis, assistant pastor, devotes his time principally to missions and other churches under this first church in the city. M. McKee is superintendent of the Sunday school, which has a membership of 200.
Grace Church, of this denomination, is located at the corner of Nettie and Ophelia streets. The society was organized in 1890, by Rev. Lee A. Neis, assistant pastor to Rev. G. I. McClaughlin. It now as 35 members.
Masonic Avenue Church, whose edifice is located on Masonic Avenue, was established in 1888, under the supervision of the Tabernacle Church.
There are several missions in the city established by this denomination, all of which are flourishing.
Each church above named has a thriving Sunday School. There are various auxiliary societies in these churches, with a large membership. The most important one of all is the Home Mission and Church Extension Society, in which all join to make a success.
A congregation of Methodists meet every Sunday for purposes of worship, also to conduct a Sunday School in the Cockrell-Fairland Addition, and the exercises are conducted by the local preachers, Rev. W. H. Howell, M. D. and Rev. J. H. Gibbs, M. D. These preachers, together with Rev. W. C. Young, another local preacher, now residing in South Dallas, have been residents of Dallas for many years, and have done great good and most efficient service not only here in Dallas and Dallas county, but also throughout this section of the State. They are successful and good men, and most highly respected and esteemed by every one. Rev. W. H. Hughes, an able preacher who has lived in Dallas a long time, has assisted in almost every church enterprise in the city. His home is still here, and he is still in the active work, and has always been a man of influence. He is a man of character, eloquence, scholarship and ability, and has done much good for his church.
- Memorial & Biographical History of Dallas County, Texas, 1892, pp. 319-321
