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

First Methodist Church of Allen

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 11, 2023

1. First Methodist Church of Allen Marker

Inscription. Methodists were among the earliest settlers in Collin County. A group of thirteen pioneers met at Joseph Russell’s log cabin close to present-day Allen on November 15, 1847 and organized a church. Russell’s home was located south of Rowlett Creek near present-day Jupiter Road. The church services became part of the far-reaching Dallas circuit and were presided over by multiple traveling ministers. The growing congregation moved three miles to the west and conducted meetings at the Spring Creek School when it was built in 1857. However, when the railroad came through in 1876, the church was moved several miles away to Plano.

The community, which the church had served, was organized as Allen in 1876. Area Methodists were eager to establish a church closer to their community. Early meetings were most likely held in the Allen Schoolhouse, but soon after, the Baptists opened their church doors to let the Methodists worship independently. The first known Allen pastor was Methodist camp preacher and revivalist Rev. George S. Gatewood, who held camp meetings under a brush arbor at Pegues Springs, southeast of town. The Methodist

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Church purchased a parcel of land in 1884, but it is unclear if a church was built on this site. A second plot they bought was on the corner of S. Allen Dr. and McDermott Rd., and a one-room church house was built there in 1902. Damaged in the 1910s, a new building was constructed between 1917-19, and was razed in 1965. The current building on S. Greenville Ave. was built in 1966. The first parsonage, which is still standing, was built on Butler Street and used until 1960. A notable member of the congregation was Dr. Malcom O. Perry II, one of the surgeons who attended President John F. Kennedy at Parkland Hospital in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

Erected 2016 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18554.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 33° 5.558′ N, 96° 39.977′ W. Marker is in Allen, Texas, in Collin County. It can be reached from South Greenville Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 S Greenville Ave, Allen TX 75013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 11, 2023

2. First Methodist Church of Allen Marker

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,

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: Allen Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Locomotive (approx. 0.7 miles away); Allen Heritage Center (approx. 0.7 miles away); Allen Depot (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Allen Station of the Texas Electric Railway (approx. ¾ mile away); Screech Owls (approx. 0.8 miles away); Corn Sheller (approx. 0.9 miles away); Moline Plow, 6008, 6041A, 5980 (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Allen.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 307 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.