A historic church in one of East Texas’ most historic towns is preparing to celebrate 180 years of ministry in Jefferson and Marion County.
The First Methodist Church of Jefferson, which is affiliated with the Trinity Conference of the Global Methodist Church, will mark the milestone with events on April 13-14. It is the bayou town’s oldest church.
“The history of First Methodist really mirrors the history of Jefferson” the Rev. Mark Crim says; “I tell my friends that I feel like I’m preaching in a Norman Rockwell painting each week”.
When the city was founded in 1840, Methodist Circuit Rider William Stevenson was preaching under brush arbors in the area. Four years later, in 1844, James Baldridge was appointed the first permanent pastor of the new Methodist Episcopal Church, which was then housed in a log cabin at the location of the current church. In 1848, the church came together to purchase the first parsonage. “Life was hard in those days, and church was a respite from the stresses of daily life. Those early settlers had a great faith in God”, said Crim.
In those days, and through the 1870s, Jefferson was a boom town. Thanks to a long-time invasive logjam on the Red River, the water level was raised, making riverboat travel possible. Jefferson, on Big Cypress Bayou, a natural barrier flowing into Caddo Lake and the Red River, became one of the most important ports in Texas.
Jefferson reached a population of 7,300 by 1872, according to the Texas State Historical Association, making it the state’s sixth-largest city.
The church was growing along with Jefferson. In 1860, the congregation constructed a brick building that was claimed to be “the most imposing brick structure west of the Mississippi,” Crim said. “It was a beautiful building that seated several hundred worshipers. The bell in church pealed from a steeple 60 feet above the roof crest,” he said. “The bell is famous partly because 1500 Mexican silver dollars were added to the alloy. It gives the bell a silvery tone.”
Sadly, due to subpar construction, the building had to be condemned and demolished just two decades later.
With the timber business fueling the economy in Jefferson after the Civil War and Reconstruction, the current sanctuary was built of wood in 1883.
The silvery tone of the church bell still rings out “come to church” each Sunday, rung by church administrative assistant Paula Youngblood. Paula’s father Milton Bass rang the bell for nearly 80 years until his passing just a few years ago.
The interior of the building is rich in New Testament symbolism, said Rev. Crim. “In the center of the ceiling is a large diamond motif that is divided into four triangles. This design is repeated four times on the side walls and twice on the front and back walls. The triangles represent the Trinity. The four sides of the diamonds symbolize the gospels. The total of 12 diamonds represents the 12 apostles. An empty cross at the front of the church reminds us that Jesus is no longer on the cross. He is risen.”
The church will celebrate on Saturday, April 13 at 5 p.m. with a fish fry. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children 6-12. Children 5 and under eat free. On Sunday, April 14, the church will have a special service of celebration at 11 a.m., followed by a barbeque lunch. Guest preacher for both events is the Rev. Dan Hannon, pastor emeritus of Christ Methodist Church in the Woodlands. Worship music will be led by Luanne Neely and Joe Buck Crisp. All are invited.
