San Augustine in San Augustine County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First United Methodist Church
Of San Augustine
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, June 11, 2021
1. First United Methodist Church Marker
The Rev. Littleton Fowler (1803-1846), one of the first Methodist missionaries sent to the Republic of Texas, came to San Augustine in October 1837. Within two weeks, a lot was given across the street from this site, trustees named, money raised, and Augustus Phelps given a contract to erect a Methodist church building. Masonic Lodge officials supervised the laying of the cornerstone on January 17, 1838. The Rev. Fowler and General Thomas J. Rusk addressed the 500 to 800 persons who gathered for the occasion. In his journal, the Rev. Fowler called it the first cornerstone laid for a Protestant church "west of the Sabine River in the infant Republic." It was also hailed as the first cornerstone laid in a foreign mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States.
Angered when his horse was turned loose while he was in church, Columbus Cartwright in 1897 donated an entire block for a new sanctuary, providing space for hitching horses and parking buggies. The present structure was erected on the donated property by 1911, when the Rev. Littleton Morris Fowler, son of the founder, served as pastor. Methodists have worshiped in the same block of San Augustine's Main Street for more than 140 years.
Erected 1978
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is January 17, 1838.
Location. 31° 31.697′ N, 94° 6.423′ W. Marker is in San Augustine, Texas, in San Augustine County. It is on South Liberty Street north of East Market Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 South Liberty St, San Augustine TX 75972, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. 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, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named First United Methodist Church (a few steps from this marker); Cullen House (about 300 feet away,
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, June 11, 2021
2. First United Methodist Church Marker
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 23, 2023
3. First United Methodist Church Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2021, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 723 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2021, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. 3. submitted on April 25, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.
