Rocksprings in Edwards County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Methodist Church

Of Rocksprings

Photographed by Jenn Wintermantel

1. First Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. This congregation traces its beginning to organized religious gatherings led by the Rev. D. O. McAllister in a schoolhouse located on property owned by Mary Buswell in 1893. Early worship services were also held in a public schoolhouse and in the county courthouse. Contributors to the church's initial success include donors of land J. R. Stanford, S. A. Hough, and Dave Elms; organizers of Sunday Schools and church socials J. J. Gill, Ira L. Wheat, and Mrs. J. R. Stanford; and donors of buckets filled with silver dollars, saloon owners Herman Fleischer, Sr., Joe Burris and George Newton. The first church structure was built about 1900. It was used by the entire community for religious worship until other church buildings could be erected. A storm and tornado, so severe as to detach the church bell clapper and deposit it five miles away, ripped through the community in 1927 destroying the church structure and killing First Methodist Church minister H. L. Spires and his wife. The congregation quickly recovered and erected a new building in 1928. The congregation has supported missionary work in many parts of the world, including Korea and Zaire. Church pastors have continued the early practice of serving Methodist congregations throughout the county.

Erected 1992 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1768.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 30° 1.002′ N, 100° 12.564′ W. Marker is in Rocksprings, Texas, in Edwards County. It is at the intersection of West Austin Street and North College Street, on the right when traveling west on West Austin Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rocksprings TX 78880, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Hill Country.

It is also in the American Borderlands.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Headquarters, American Angora Goat Breeders' Assn. (within shouting distance of this marker); Gilmer Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Rocksprings Telephone Company (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Edwards County Courthouse (about 500 feet away); Site of Rocksprings' First School Building (about 500 feet away); Edwards County (about 500 feet away); The Sesquicentennial Committee Erects This Marker (about 500 feet away); Old Carson Store (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rocksprings.

Photographed by Jenn Wintermantel

2. First Methodist Church Marker

Bell from original church, that was distroyed in 1927 tornado image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 16, 2023

3. Bell from original church, that was distroyed in 1927 tornado

Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2018, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 332 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 3, 2018, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on October 17, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.