First Methodist Episcopal Church
Italy, Texas
Recorded by Mrs. W. R. Guyer, Italy, Texas. July, 1966
Contributed by Jean Caddel
The first M. E. Church was worshipped by the community churchers which
was called the Old Buttermilk Church down on Houston Branch.
The first Church was built on what is now the Billie Tom Harris lot and
homestead in the year 1888. First pastor to my memory was J. D. Adams
1901-1904.
This Church was caught by lightning, burned to the ground. Every window,
door, all seats, and pulpit furniture was saved by the man- drawn fire wagon
on muddy dirt streets. The next church was built in 1904 on the same lot
as now. Pastor was O. P. Kirker. All windows, seats and pulpit furniture
were used in this church. Kirker remained until 1905.
1905 - pulpit was filled by Nat B. Reed.
1906 pulpit filled by R. H. Walker
1908 - Rev. J. H. Benrell
1909-1910 Rev. J. E. Crawford
1911-1913 Rev. Rev. W. T. Gray
1913-1915 H. L. Munger
1915-1916 Rev. S. A. Ashburn
1916-1917 Rev. A. E. Smith
1917-1918 Franklin Moore
1918-1920 J. E. Hightower
1920-1921 J. S. Bowels
1921-1923 M. D. Camecil
1923-1924 E. M. Wisdom.
1924 M. S. Story
1924-1925 Kenneth Pope
1925 Mat B. Reed
1925-1926 J. W. Cowan
1927-1928 P. H. Gates
1928-1932 J. F. Adams
1933 L. R. Vander pall
1935-1938 Oran Stevens
1939 George W. Davis
1939 J. O. Whitaker
1942 W. H. Schultz
1942-1944 Gad J. Bryant
1944-1945 C. M. But rill
1946-1948 J. S. Gardner
1948-1950 Norman Purvis
1950-1952 J. Bond Johnson
1952-1953 Nalon M. Fisher
1953-1959 Chester Wilkerson
1959-1962 Kenneth Bass
1962-1964 Otis Brown
1964=1965 Kester M. Hearns
1965-now Jack Myers
The Church now stands the third built in 1940. Same benches and pulpit
furniture, has had several additions put on. An organ and piano added for
the last three years. Benches and all refinished.
Sunday School Superintendents since 1890: Tom Aycock, Joe Gee, R. C. Mitchell,
Prof. J. T. Bludworth, Prof. Green, W. R. McCollough, Earl Eagan, Claud Stone,
Sam McCord, Ben Ethridge, H. C. Martin (now 90 yrs of age), Elisha Richard,
Mrs. Dora Morton Milburn, Mrs. Willene Price, L. R. Campbell, Ferris Watson,
Dr. R. L. Hall, Prof. J. G. Willis, Sam Green, Leo Gallman, Aston Herrin,
Harold Tekell, Jr. Self, Claud Mitchell.
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