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

Washington Methodist Church

Photographed by James Hulse, February 25, 2023

1. Washington Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. Methodist preacher Henry Stephenson traveled through Texas in 1826, and reportedly preached at the home of William and Catherine Gates near the future town of Washington, at a time when Mexican authorities did not permit protestant church services. By 1833, Minister John Wesley Kenney settled here and was preaching in Samuel Gates' house. Settlers David Ayers and Lydia McHenry successfully appealed to the Methodist Missionary Society and the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States to send three missionaries to the Republic of Texas in late 1837. Each of these men, Martin Ruter, Robert Alexander, and Littleton Fowler, were in Washington at different times in 1837. The following year, a frame building for the Methodist Episcopal Church was built on part of block 44 at the intersection of Gay and Hamilton Streets, completed soon after Ruter died and was buried in Washington. It was one of the earliest churches of the denomination built in Texas.

In 1839, the Washington circuit reported 178 members, two local preachers and three Sunday schools; churches included Washington, San Felipe, Piney, Centre Hill, Travis, Caney Creek, Halloway, Cedar Creek and Independence. By 1845, the Texas Conference designated Washington as a district church, and in 1847 the circuit reported 254 Anglo members and 54 African Americans. In 1852, a new brick structure replaced the first church; it was often referred to as Ruter's church in honor of the early minister. The population of the town and church were in decline in the 1850s, and after the roof of the abandoned church collapsed, the property was sold in 1870. Members remained active and met in other locations for a few years even with no building of their own. In 1884, Rev. C.L. Spencer transferred the church bell and remaining funds to the Navasota congregation. The

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Methodist Church in Washington is remembered as a significant early house of worship and faith.

Erected 2018 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18911.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1826.

Location. 30° 19.358′ N, 96° 9.533′ W. Marker is in Washington, Texas, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 1155 and Park Road 12, on the right when traveling south on Highway 1155. The marker is located across the entrance to the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22816 FM 1155, Washington TX 77880, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

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.

The view of the Washington Methodist Church Marker from the road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 25, 2023

2. The view of the Washington Methodist Church Marker from the road

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Here a Nation was Born (approx. ¼ mile away); Little Town on the River (approx. ¼ mile away); Birth of a Republic (approx. ¼ mile away); Washington-on-the-Brazos (approx. 0.3 miles away); Andrew Robinson, Sr. (approx. 0.3 miles away); "Gus" (approx. 0.3 miles away); George Campbell Childress (approx. 0.3 miles away); Washington County (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.

The entrance to Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 25, 2023

3. The entrance to Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Site

The marker is located across the street from the entrance to the historical site.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 364 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 1, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.