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

A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church

Photographed By James Hulse, September 1, 2023

1. A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. Circuit riding preachers served the Methodists of this community as early as 1845. The first written records of this church date from 1852, when the Rev. Andrew Cummings (1817-1882), organized the fellowship as a station on the newly established Rusk Circuit. Originally a Methodist society, it became in 1866 the Methodist Episcopal Church South of Alto.

Early services were held in the schoolhouse. In 1887 A.C. Harrison (1841-1924) and his wife Virginia (1843-1912) donated land at the site of the present-day parsonage for the congregation's first church building. Dr. C.W. Fisher, Mrs. Harrison's brother, designed the one-room spired structure and built a scale model of it. The building was enlarged under leadership of the Rev. J.W. Johnson, who was named pastor in 1909, when Alto became a full-time station with weekly services.

A new sanctuary was built on the present site in 1921. It was dedicated in 1935 at a ceremony led by Bishop A. Frank Smith (1889-1962), who began his ministry as interim pastor of this church. In 1960 the present building was erected and the congregation renamed to honor Bishop Smith.

Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6959.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location.

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31° 38.973′ N, 95° 4.375′ W. Marker is in Alto, Texas, in Cherokee County. Marker is at the intersection of Cooper Street and Commerce Street, on the right when traveling east on Cooper Street. The marker is located at the front of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 131 Cooper Street, Alto TX 75925, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Robert F. Mitchell (approx. 0.3 miles away); Stella Salmon Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Camp Alto, World War II Prisoner of War Camp (approx. 1.2 miles away); Site of the Delaware Indian Village (approx. 1.3 miles away); Site of Lacy's Fort (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road (approx. 2.1 miles away); Chief Bowles' Last Homesite (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alto.

Also see . . . Alto, TX. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on September 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, September 1, 2023

2. The A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church and Marker

The view of the A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church and Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, September 1, 2023

3. The view of the A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church and Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 94 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.