Trinidad United Methodist Church
1938 Directory Located at the bottom of the page

Established 1902

History prepared by Cleora Wright Fleming

Prepared in 1983 

          In the early 1700s, John Wesley, a member of the Church of England, founded a new Protestant group called the United Society. Critics believed the sect to be too orderly or methodical and called its members Methodists. Wesley, not knowing he was starting a new religion, liked and adopted the name. He had begun the Society as a part of the Church of England, feeling a need for moral strictness. As he traveled and preached, he made no attempt to organize his followers into a single body or to separate them from the Church of England. Many clergymen accepted the new doctrines and took part in Wesley’s work. He appointed lay preachers to help carry on his work. The Church of England refused to accept some of the results of Wesley’s work and also refused to recognize his preachers. In the mid 1700s the Society became a separate denomination, although Wesley himself never left the Church of England. In England the main body was called the Wesleyan Methodist Church and in about 1770 sent missionaries to America. [The Methodist Church was not officially organized in England until after 1784.] At a conference in Baltimore in 1784, they created a formal church organization and adopted the name of Methodist Episcopal Church. The church grew rapidly. In 1843, because of the question of slavery, a group withdrew from the Church and formed the Wesleyan Methodist Church. The following year the main body split because of the same issue. The southern members broke away to form the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Still another division was the Free Methodist Church. Three Methodist denominations have been organized for Negroes – the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Church Zion, and Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. There had been a long and determined effort to join all these groups into one organization. In 1939, a plan of union was adopted by a uniting conference of the various churches. The Methodist Church was formed from a combination of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Protestant Church, and the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The government of the Methodist Church in America is Episcopal, which means that it is organized with bishops at its head. A plan of union was made effective by the Uniting Conference in Dallas, Texas on April 23, 1968, which united the Methodist Church with the Evangelical United Brethren Church, becoming the United Methodist Church. This union embodied the history and traditions of many churches which are Methodist in name or tradition. 

          In September 1833, Rev James P Stephenson organized a “Religious Society” at the home of Colonel Samuel McMahan, near San Augustine, Texas. In July 1834, under the leadership of Rev Henry Stephenson, this society reorganized as a Methodist Church and when a building was completer in 1839 by the Rev Littleton Fowler, it was given the name of McMahan’s Chapel. It is known as the oldest Methodist Church having continuous existence in Texas and is located five and one-half miles west of Geneva, Sabine County, Texas. No record can be found of a Methodist Church being organized earlier in Texas. [There were other churches organized about this time that no longer exist.] 

          At a session of the Texas Conference at Henderson, Texas in 1848, a new district was made, called “Trinity District”, and was composed of the territory north of Houston County to the Red River on the north, and back west to the Trinity River – three counties wide. Henderson County was taken into this new district, its distances being 1800 miles in circumstance. Rev J W Felds was placed in charge of this new district for which he was paid $139.00 per year. He wore out one good mule valued at $300.00 and two horses worth $100.00 each. At the end of the year he went to give his report a walking skeleton, broken down in health and spirit. His Bishop proposed to give him an easier place, but Rev Felds replied he had come to Texas as a missionary and proposed to stay and fight it out. After deliberation, the District was cut down and Rev Felds was made a Presiding Elder of the Palestine District where his life was more comfortable. 

          This devout old minister was an inspiration to Hezekiah Mitcham. Mitcham had received his Botanic Physician’s license on March 4, 1836 from the Friendly Botanic Society in Claiborne, Clarke County, Alabama. He engaged in the practice of medicine for a time but becoming convinced the medicines were all a humbug, he began expounding the Gospel. He was the first resident minister in Henderson County. He often told his daughter-in-law, Mrs James A Mitcham, that he preached his first sermon in Athens and that it was to a congregation gathered under the old oak tree near the courthouse square. In 1852, he organized a Methodist Church. Services were held at various locations and in surrounding communities. 

          In the fall of 1854, in the small settlement known as Caney Creek, after their crops were in, Rev Hezehiah Mitcham and his followers erected what is believed to be the first Methodist Church to be built in Henderson County. The location, on a half acre of land situated on the Jane Irvine Survey, was donated by the pastor’s son, James A Mitcham. The church was made of logs chinked with mud. Its native rock fireplace had a mud-in-stick chimney. Benches were handdressed split logs. It came to be known as Mitcham Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church South and the community of Caney Creek came to be known as Mitcham Chapel. 

          In 1883, the General Minutes of the Methodist Episcopal Church South lists Rev Neil Brown as the pastor to serve the Malakoff Circuit of the Tyler District, East Texas Conference. This is the first listing of Malakoff as a pastoral appointment in the District. In 1890, the General Minutes lists Malakoff on a circuit with Athens. In 1895, the pastoral appointments show the Rev N I Brown was the first pastor of the “Malakoff Station”. It was at this time that Malakoff became a half station with several other churches, including Trinidad and Walnut Creek. 

          Older settlers and members of the church tell us about Methodists attending church at the Airheart Ferry that crossed the Trinity River near the cemetery. 

          In 1888, D C Legg donated land for the church in Trinidad. It was built by Jacob Henry Smalling, but the year is not recorded. 

          It was used, not only for a church, but also for a school for resident children. In the 1980s, some of our older members, Alice Wright, Alpine Holcomb, Helen French, Lillian Smith, Tommy Stanfield, Otis Stanfield, Byron Jackson, and Edna Harkins remember attending the church. 

          Lanterns were placed on fence posts outside the church for night services. The building was located on Legg Street. There was a bell that was tolled for services. Although the community was sparsely populated, people came in wagons with their children to attend services. Members used the well and outhouse (owned by Mrs Lula Hammet) located near the church. 

          Charter members of the Methodist Church in Trinidad in 1902 included D C Legg, T J Trotman, Mrs D C Legg, Dr J W Mann, F S Watkins, C W Airheart, Mrs Wagner, C T Scott, C C Airheart, John R Tafee. All were Methodists except the two Airhearts, who were Baptists. 

          In 1907, Trinidad was transferred from the Tyler District to the Jacksonville District. Later, in 1948, it was transferred to the Palestine District. [It is now (2007) in the Northwest District.] 

          Trinidad Methodist Episcopal South record books begin with Rev L Pormer as Pastor, year not recorded. There were 78 members listed. The first dated records begin in October 1910 with Bishop Myron and Presiding Elder Thomas A Smith. 

          In 1912-1915, E C Escoe was Pastor with the same Bishop and Presiding Elder. 

          In 1928, services were held in an old movie house with a board walk to protect members from deep mud. The late Mrs Allen Hopkins was Sunday School teacher. The church was located where the present day City Hall stands. 

          In 1924, Texas Power & Light Company located a plant in Trinidad and began operation in 1926. The increased population led to the construction of a new building. [That building was replaced in 1983] 

          Rev W C Hughes chose the Trinidad Circuit and was a full-time pastor in 1927. The old “Pierce Home” was rented as a parsonage. The house still remains today, located on Oak Street. 

          D C Legg donated land at 221 McEntire Street for the building. In April 1929, trustees were given the green light for construction. 

Under the pastorate of Lee Hopkins the church was built. Carpenters were Allen Hopkins, Charlie Johnston, and members of the church. 

The Epworth League was organized in 1927, with 28 members. 

In 1928, a Home Department was organized by Mrs J B Poindexter, who served as President. 

In April 1929, the Adult Home League Department was organized under the charge of Mrs Ancil Pulley. 

In April 1930, members moved into the new building. It was financed in part by the trustees borrowing $2,000 from the Texas Board of Church Extension. Cost of the building was $4,000. Through generous gifts and the hard work of the membership, $1,600 had been paid by the time it was occupied. 

The building was cleared of indebtedness and dedicated in 1938 during the pastorate T P Hendricks as Pastor. He served 1937-1939. 

Other pastors serving during the time it was paid for included Leo Hopkins, A J Watson, R E Beard, B A Watson, and E W Solomon. 

In September 1932, members built a parsonage. Land, located at 860 McEntire, was donated by Dr and Mrs Ancil Pulley. 

Trustees borrowed $300 from the conference and placed a lien on the building to borrow $700 more. The parsonage was used until 1968. The property was then valued at $1,300. 

The Senior Epworth League was reorganized in January 1934, by Mrs Ruth Hunter as sponsor. A young people’s department in this league was sponsored by Alvin Johnston. 

In August 1934, new wooden seats were placed in the church. The same month new hymnals were bought. 

At that time, 1939, Mrs Russell Brooks was pianist, Joe Morrison was choir director, and the total membership was 214. 

The church calendar included Sunday School at 9:45AM; preaching at 10:45AM; Epworth League at 6PM; preaching at 7PM; and the Women’s Missionary Society on Mondays at 2:30PM. 

The Board of Stewards consisted of W W Hoskins at chairman, R S Gould, J G Uhrich, O B Shults, E R Morrison, J C McCallum, W P Crews, C G Ellis, A B McClendon, F S Stockton, S W Denton, and R K Hunter. 

The Board of Trustees was made up of W P Crews, S W Denton, E R Morrison, Sam Stanfield, Ancil Pulley, W A Trotman, and T H Johnston. 

New pews were bought from Sam’s Furniture in Waco by the Ladies Dorcus Sunday School Class in 1943. These were placed in the church under the pastorate of Rev Jesse Robertson. [These pews were moved to the new sanctuary when it was built, and are still in use] 

The Dorcas Class purchased an attic fan for the church and had it installed in July 1947. They also helped buy a new septic tank and commode for the parsonage. 

Under the pastorate of Rev E J Davis Sr – in 1953 – a meeting of church members was held on Monday night. It was voted almost unanimously in favor of the construction of a new Educational Building to provide a needed kitchen, rest rooms, class rooms, and a nursery. 

At that time, members had an out house, no inside plumbing, a small kitchen where the present storeroom is now located. 

Practically 50% of the approximated $7,500 needed for the proposed project was subscribed at the first meeting. 

Claude Jackson and Lawton Parks were carpenters. Much of the labor was donated. 

Different class members bought dishes for the kitchen. Gleaners and the Couples Class members put the stoves in the kitchen and helped lay the tile in the Educational Building. Chairs were bought by members. 

Pew cushions were bought under Rev E J Davis in 1957 at a cost of $540. 

In 1960, under Bill Bailey, the sanctuary was air-conditioned. In 1962-1962, the Educational Building was air-conditioned. This occurred under the pastorate of Rev Wayne Cannon. The Lions Club met in the Educational Building for their monthly night meals. The ladies from the Gleaners Class, Couples Class, and Dorcas Class would prepare their meals, and were paid nominal fees. This money was used to help pay for many things in the Educational Building and kitchen. 

In April 1965, four lots were purchased behind the existing church building for $600 each. They were for future use for a parsonage and church buildings. 

In June 1965, donations were made for new hymnals. 

In May 1968, work was underway to build a new parsonage. The old parsonage was sold and funds from that sale were used toward the cost of the new house. There was also $8,034 in the Building Fund to use toward total costs. Those funds were left to the church by the late Mrs Neil. 

Chester McEntire was employed as carpenter for the construction. The slab was poured July 25,1968. 

A lot of labor was donated. Bob Eaton built the kitchen cabinets, Milburn Johnston, assisted by his wife Mary Ellen, and Ann Rounsavall painted the house. 

The Gleaners Class took care of the furnishing of the new parsonage. 

Actual cost of the house was $13,500. It was valued at that time at $23,500. Furnishings, estimated at $6,000, brought the total value to $28,500. 

Under the pastorate of Buford Finley, the church sanctuary was repainted. Milburn Johnston directed and gave a lot of labor. Jim Williams, Tommy Stanfield, Buford Finley, Bill Freeman, Mrs Alice Wright, and Cleora Fleming helped a lot in this project. 

In 1970, choir robes were purchased by the sale of a Methodist Cookbook. These sold for $2.00 each. Mrs Mary Ellen Johnston, organist, and treasurer of the choir, borrowed $279 from the First State Bank of Trinidad and was responsible for making a cookbook sale for payment of the choir robes. 

Choir members secured favorite recipes from church members. Mrs Skeet Van Orden secured advertising. The 100 cookbooks were sold and had to make another order of 100, which were all sold. Officers for the 1970 choir were: President – Mrs Cleora Fleming, Vice President – Mrs Bama Miller, Secretary – Jerlyn Hoskins, Treasurer – Mrs Mary Ellen Johnston. 

These robes were bought under the pastorate of Rev H A Springfield. 

In May 1975, new light fixtures were given by the McDonald family, windows were enclosed, and new carpet added. 

The church was repainted in 1977 under Pastor George Olson. 

A special fund of $250 was started by Hollis Hines Jr of Slidell Louisiana for a steeple fund. Memorials were added to it as time went by. 

Church treasurers Cecil and Marie Wallace and Nubbin and Cleora Fleming were responsible for going to Henderson and Jacksonville and having a steeple made for the church. It was built in Jacksonville. 

It was delivered on a Wednesday morning at 8AM and erected July 2, 1978 by volunteer members for the church. Those who helped were Claude Jackson, Nubbin Fleming, Tommy Stanfield, Roy Stanfield, Dr Raymond Germany, Ronnie Hiler, Richard Treece and pastor Melvin Rowland. Also present were Alice Wright and Cleora Fleming. The total cost was $850. [The steeple was moved to the new sanctuary, and is still in use.] 

In March 1982, the membership of the church was faced with a major decision. Structural damage had occurred to the 50 year old sanctuary and Sunday School classrooms. Even though expensive repairs had been attempted twice, it was determined that further repairs could not assure the structure would be sound. 

A tentative decision was made to start fund-raising efforts for construction of a new sanctuary and to make the final decision after the response was evaluated. 

Funds for the new building were not only donated, but funds were also raised by hosting hamburger suppers, ice cream suppers, chili suppers, a giant garage sale, pancake breakfasts, and other events. 

On March 15, 1983, a Charge Conference was called for Trinidad First United Methodist Church with Palestine District Superintendent Dr Emmitt Barrow presiding. A unanimous vote approved plans for a 40 foot by 90 foot brick structure. Proposed costs were $119,920 by builder Fred Bandy. 

Members of the Building Committee included Roy Stanfield (chairman), Ann Rounsavall, Bobby Rounsavall, W  C Fleming Jr, Cleora Fleming, Alice Wright, Mary Ellen Johnston, Chilton Derden, Gaylon Johnson, Mondo Renteria, Gertrude Stanfield, and Otis Stanfield. 

Final vote on construction was held August 20, 1983. Construction began in mid September with completion date set for five months later. In October 1983, the small congregation had $56,000 secured in a Building Fund and construction was underway. 

Ground breaking ceremonies were held August 26,1983, at 6PM, with District Superintendent L B Borach speaking. Others participating in the service included Dr Charles Williams, Pastor Tim Edwards, O B Stanfield, Mrs Jo Rose, Mrs W C Fleming Jr, and Roy Stanfield. Constructions actually began October 10, 1983, with the pouring of the foundation. 

[A later construction project, after the completion of the new sanctuary, remodeled the kitchen and fellowship hall and added additional rooms and a hallway connecting the kitchen and fellowship hall with the sanctuary.]  

Edited and slightly revised by Jimmy L. Steele.