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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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