St. Paul's Church
Contributed by Jean Caddel
St. Paul's community, known for its history, is located about half
way between Midlothian and Mansfield on Highway 287.
According to Ellis County Deed Records, the land for St. Paul's church
was donated by W. S. Fife with the stipulation that it have a Biblical name
which resulted in St. Paul. William Gardner donated land for the school and
cemetery in 1885 which is just across the road from the church. The
school was moved to Midlothian many years ago.
Charter members of the church included Mr. and Mrs. Tom Tipps, Mrs. Sherman
Way, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Cox, Mr. and mrs.
I. B. Curry and Mr. and Mrs. R. f. Craig.. Others who helped in the
organization were Mr. and Mrs. Will Harmon and Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Beard.
Other early settlers in this community were Miller Gainier, J. W. Gainer,
Larry Mills, J. O,. Boyce, I,. B. Curry, P. M. Riley, I. L. Rowdon, J. D.
Ellis, J. H. Sumpter, W. R. Galloway, T. S. Way, W. J. Tipps, W. J. Gardner,
J. A. Arnond, J. C. Welch, F. Gainer, S. E. Miner and N. h. Rhowdon.
According to records in the possession of Harold Davis, charter members
of the cemetery association were: J. W. Gainer, chairman, Larry Mills and
J. O. Boyce, I. B. Curry, I. M. Riley, I. I. Rowden, J. D. Ellis, HJ. H.
Sjumpter and W. R. Galloway. Also T. S. Way, W. J. Tipps, W. J. Gardner,
J. A. Arnold, J. C. Welch, F. F. Gainer, S. E. Minor, N. H. Rowden, E. J.
Welch, Elizah Massey and Nellie Gainer.
The settlers were responsible for the building of the church under the
direction of a carpenter named McElrohy from Midlothian. It was completed
in 1894.
Harold Davis, still a resident in the community, was Sunday School
superintendent for 25 years and his sister, Mrs. Lorene Beard of Fort Worth,
was pianist for many years. Mr. Davis has retained some old records
of the cemetery association.
According to minutes Feb. 21, 1906, the committee appointed to lay off
the cemetery included J. W. Gainer, W. J. Gardner and J. D. Ellis. The
next record of a meeting of the cemetery association was June 14, 1912. J.
R. Cox presided and officers elected were: R. P. Darby, president; John Galaway,
vice president; W. G. Abernathym treasdurer and E. Wilson secretary. Named
as mangers were W. Harmon, J. H. Beard anmd L. Galaway.
Officers elected the next year were T. P. Darbey, president, J. W. Beckum
Vice president, E. Wilson secretary and W. G. Abernathy. Named as mangers
were J. W. Gainer, W. S. Beckum and Bob Galoway.
In more recent years the St. Paul's Home Demonstration Club has been veryu
active in community activities in many ways giving women living in the community
an opportunity to learn many new things about home making as well as providing
support to many community projects such as the cancer program, drug abuse,
driver education, and conservatrion of water.
St. Paul's annual homecoming is always the fourth Sunday in July. After
lunch, singing will go on for several hours into the afternoon. This
is a way that the memories of the older generation can keep alive "what used
to be" for their children, grandchildren and succeeding generations.
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