Denton in Denton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Methodist Church of Denton
Photographed by Joe Lotz, August 4, 2021
1. First Methodist Church of Denton Marker
The Rev. William E. Bates organized the First Methodist Church of Denton in 1857, the same year the town of Denton was formed. Services were conducted in the log courthouse until the Masonic lodge of Denton constructed a 2-story building in 1859. It served as a school and meeting hall and was used by all the area churches. In 1873 the Methodist congregation built their first meeting house, which was a white frame church with a steeple and bell. Funds for a red brick sanctuary built in 1899 were raised in part at a revival conducted by evangelist Abe Mulkey. By 1907 the congregation of more than 600 members had outgrown its sanctuary, but another building was not constructed until 1925 when a new church building with a seating capacity of 2,400 was completed. An education building was added in 1951, and other renovations have taken place over the years.
Many prominent citizens of Denton have been members of this church which has provided a variety of programs for the congregation and has supported local and foreign missions. It has served the community through several social outreach activities and continues to be an integral part of the Denton area.
Erected 1996 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1752.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list:
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Location. 33° 12.781′ N, 97° 7.927′ W. Marker is in Denton, Texas, in Denton County. It is on South Locust Street just south of East Mulberry Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 S Locust Street, Denton TX 76201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. 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: John B. Denton (about 700 feet away); The City of Denton (about 700 feet away); Denton County War Memorial (about 700 feet away); Edna Westbrook Trigg in Denton County (about 700 feet away); Denton County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Sherman Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Denton County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Campus Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Denton.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Our Confederate Soldiers (was about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Joe Lotz, August 4, 2021
2. First Methodist Church of Denton and Marker
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 10, 2023
3. First Methodist Church of Denton Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2021, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. This page has been viewed 708 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 4, 2021, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. 3. submitted on April 11, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
