Lewisville in Denton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Lane Chapel C.M.E. Church
Photographed By J Frye
1. Lane Chapel C.M.E. Church Marker
Inscription.
Lane Chapel C.M.E. Church. . Anthony Hembry and six charter members, all former slaves, organized Lewisville Colored Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church in 1882. Lewisville had the largest African American population in Denton County and this church, called Lane Chapel after 1902 for Bishop Isaac Lane, was a significant social center. Other C.M.E. churches formed with the encouragement of this congregation. As rural Americans migrated to larger cities in the 1920s-1940s, the black population of Lewisville diminished and church membership dwindled. The church survived the late 20th century through donations and funds from other C.M.E. churches and the devotion of Lane Chapel members. A strong ministry in the 1990s led to a revival for Lane Chapel, and by the beginning of the 21st century membership had increased.
Anthony Hembry and six charter members, all former slaves, organized Lewisville Colored Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church in 1882. Lewisville had the largest African American population in Denton County and this church, called Lane Chapel after 1902 for Bishop Isaac Lane, was a significant social center. Other C.M.E. churches formed with the encouragement of this congregation. As rural Americans migrated to larger cities in the 1920s-1940s, the black population of Lewisville diminished and church membership dwindled. The church survived the late 20th century through donations and funds from other C.M.E. churches and the devotion of Lane Chapel members. A strong ministry in the 1990s led to a revival for Lane Chapel, and by the beginning of the 21st century membership had increased.
Erected 2000 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12323.)
Location. 33° 2.49′ N, 96° 59.528′ W. Marker is in Lewisville, Texas, in Denton County. Marker is
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on Hembry Street just south of East Purnell Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker stands near the church entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 615 Hembry St, Lewisville TX 75057, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Additional commentary. 1. About the CME Denomination The CME, a historically Black denomination in the Methodist tradition, began its life as the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. However, since then its name has changed to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, keeping the same abbreviation (CME).
— Submitted October 20, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Photographed By J Frye
2. Lane Chapel C.M.E. Church Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2021, by J Frye of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 284 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2021, by J Frye of Fort Worth, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
