When our forefathers began to settle this country in the 1800's it was a new land. There were no fences, no town and no churches. Worshiping God played an important part in the lives of the settlers. As people moved in, a town was founded in 1857, and settlers met to worship in homes or under the large live oak trees or at Hagler's Store (the only store).
In 1900, the Methodist Episcopal Church South decided the time was right to build a church building. On July 5, 1900 four lots were purchased from E. W., Eula and Lizzie Stallsworth for the sum of $20. C. W. Moore and his wife Regina sold the church two lots for the sum of $30, and Francis K. Perryman sold one for the sum of $10. (The final church property was not purchased until March 7, 1933, when an additional partial lot was purchased from Price and Bessie Hudspeth and J. C. and Emma Hudspeth.) The trustees for the church at that time were: J. K. Jackson, Levi Perryman and W. H. Wilson. Their first concern was finances. Ms. Kate (Perryman) Caddel rode horseback over the community to take donations for the new building. Mr. George Littell and his sons hauled rock from Valentine Bluff for the foundation. Mr. Billy Wilson furnished two teams of horses and wagons to haul the lumber from Gainesville and Sherman. Park Steadham and John Haynie gave their time to drive the teams for the supplies. The church was built in 1901 by Sewel Stover, a carpenter from Rosston.
There were over 100 members listed on the roll before building, and in 1901, after the building was complete there were 214.
The original church steeple had four spires on it representing the four corners of the earth ~ North, East, South and West ~ symbolizing God’s presence everywhere. In 1940, a single spire steeple replaced the original steeple, because the original steeple leaked when it rained.
The church remained one large room until 1953. In 1953, as new and modern churches were including classrooms and kitchens, the congregation realized that to keep pace with the times, some improvements were needed. However, tearing down the old landmark was not even a consideration.
The Hardy Church had not held services for several years, and the building was deteriorating. Consequently, the conference offered the building to the Forestburg church. After accepting the offer, the men of the church built the first annex with material from the Hardy Church. (The altar rail that is now in use came from the Hardy Church with the exception of the two ends.)
The congregation has always had pride in keeping the building in good shape. In the late 1950's, the old oak floor was wearing thin in places. The congregation was discussing what to do. Carroll Dill spoke up and said he would give a square of hardwood. In less than 10 minutes enough hardwood for the entire floor had been donated.
In the late 1960's, Jewell Dill’s youth class wanted to clean the grounds that had grown up, so they organized and cleaned rocks, bushes and underbrush. This action put the church leaders into motion to have the property surveyed and add fencing. The same youth wanted to buy altar ware for the church. The boys hauled hay and the girls did whatever they could to make money. The youth bought the altar ware that is still in use. Also, up to that time the chancel of the church ended at the altar rail. It was decided at that time a kneeling alter was needed, so one was built. The church was going to carpet only the new kneeling altar, but the youth class raised the needed money and paid for the entire chancel to be carpeted.
In March 1973, the board voted to replace the three, worn and broken, chancel windows with new red pane windows. Not long afterwards the other windows were replaced with light green panes.
In 1978, central heat and cooling were added. Originally, the building had been heated with wood. Later, two large butane heaters were added. Air conditioning was nonexistent until evaporative coolers came along.
In 1984, the young adult class decided it was time for new pews. Through a series of fundraisers such as "Valentine Love Meals," the money was raised for the new pews that are still being used today.
In 1986, after several years of consideration, the decision was finally made to build a new fellowship hall. In 1989, the "old" annex was removed and the "new" annex consisting of a modern kitchen, classrooms, modern restrooms, and a large fellowship hall was built. The sanctuary also received a renovation with new stained glass windows, and the entire church façade was bricked. Then on February 25, 1990, a consecration service was held.
When the building was completely finished and paid for, a dedication service was held on April 2, 1995. The following year both side flower beds were installed
On October 20, 2001, the Church celebrated the centennial anniversary of the church building.
In January 2015, much needed handicap ramps and hand rails were installed, and the restrooms were renovated to be handicap accessible in January 2016.
The Methodist Church has always been a mission church, helping wherever needed. With that being said, a couple more interesting facts. In 19l7, the large two story school on the hill burned. The church was used for school classrooms. Again in 1995, the school burned, and the Methodist church was used for classrooms.
(information submitted by Jewell Dill, Church Historian)
In 1900, the Methodist Episcopal Church South decided the time was right to build a church building. On July 5, 1900 four lots were purchased from E. W., Eula and Lizzie Stallsworth for the sum of $20. C. W. Moore and his wife Regina sold the church two lots for the sum of $30, and Francis K. Perryman sold one for the sum of $10. (The final church property was not purchased until March 7, 1933, when an additional partial lot was purchased from Price and Bessie Hudspeth and J. C. and Emma Hudspeth.) The trustees for the church at that time were: J. K. Jackson, Levi Perryman and W. H. Wilson. Their first concern was finances. Ms. Kate (Perryman) Caddel rode horseback over the community to take donations for the new building. Mr. George Littell and his sons hauled rock from Valentine Bluff for the foundation. Mr. Billy Wilson furnished two teams of horses and wagons to haul the lumber from Gainesville and Sherman. Park Steadham and John Haynie gave their time to drive the teams for the supplies. The church was built in 1901 by Sewel Stover, a carpenter from Rosston.
There were over 100 members listed on the roll before building, and in 1901, after the building was complete there were 214.
The original church steeple had four spires on it representing the four corners of the earth ~ North, East, South and West ~ symbolizing God’s presence everywhere. In 1940, a single spire steeple replaced the original steeple, because the original steeple leaked when it rained.
The church remained one large room until 1953. In 1953, as new and modern churches were including classrooms and kitchens, the congregation realized that to keep pace with the times, some improvements were needed. However, tearing down the old landmark was not even a consideration.
The Hardy Church had not held services for several years, and the building was deteriorating. Consequently, the conference offered the building to the Forestburg church. After accepting the offer, the men of the church built the first annex with material from the Hardy Church. (The altar rail that is now in use came from the Hardy Church with the exception of the two ends.)
The congregation has always had pride in keeping the building in good shape. In the late 1950's, the old oak floor was wearing thin in places. The congregation was discussing what to do. Carroll Dill spoke up and said he would give a square of hardwood. In less than 10 minutes enough hardwood for the entire floor had been donated.
In the late 1960's, Jewell Dill’s youth class wanted to clean the grounds that had grown up, so they organized and cleaned rocks, bushes and underbrush. This action put the church leaders into motion to have the property surveyed and add fencing. The same youth wanted to buy altar ware for the church. The boys hauled hay and the girls did whatever they could to make money. The youth bought the altar ware that is still in use. Also, up to that time the chancel of the church ended at the altar rail. It was decided at that time a kneeling alter was needed, so one was built. The church was going to carpet only the new kneeling altar, but the youth class raised the needed money and paid for the entire chancel to be carpeted.
In March 1973, the board voted to replace the three, worn and broken, chancel windows with new red pane windows. Not long afterwards the other windows were replaced with light green panes.
In 1978, central heat and cooling were added. Originally, the building had been heated with wood. Later, two large butane heaters were added. Air conditioning was nonexistent until evaporative coolers came along.
In 1984, the young adult class decided it was time for new pews. Through a series of fundraisers such as "Valentine Love Meals," the money was raised for the new pews that are still being used today.
In 1986, after several years of consideration, the decision was finally made to build a new fellowship hall. In 1989, the "old" annex was removed and the "new" annex consisting of a modern kitchen, classrooms, modern restrooms, and a large fellowship hall was built. The sanctuary also received a renovation with new stained glass windows, and the entire church façade was bricked. Then on February 25, 1990, a consecration service was held.
When the building was completely finished and paid for, a dedication service was held on April 2, 1995. The following year both side flower beds were installed
On October 20, 2001, the Church celebrated the centennial anniversary of the church building.
In January 2015, much needed handicap ramps and hand rails were installed, and the restrooms were renovated to be handicap accessible in January 2016.
The Methodist Church has always been a mission church, helping wherever needed. With that being said, a couple more interesting facts. In 19l7, the large two story school on the hill burned. The church was used for school classrooms. Again in 1995, the school burned, and the Methodist church was used for classrooms.
(information submitted by Jewell Dill, Church Historian)