Palestine in Anderson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Westwood United Methodist Church
(Holmes Chapel Methodist Church)
Photographed by James Hulse, April 25, 2024
1. Westwood United Methodist Church Marker
Inscription.
Westwood United Methodist Church. (Holmes Chapel Methodist Church). In November 1883, Harriet McClanahan Holmes donated one acre of land to Anderson County and William M. Holmes donated funds for the Holmes Community School, where Minnie Lee Holmes served as the first teacher. In the schoolhouse that year, area residents organized the Holmes Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The Rev. Daniel C. Neel served as the congregation's first pastor., The church outgrew the schoolhouse and built a sanctuary in 1899. At that time, church services were held once a month by the Rev. A. Methvin. The congregation used its second house of worship, located on Holmes Road, until 1948. The church, like the Palestine area, experienced growth due to new industry and a post-war population increase. After selling the Holmes Road property, the congregation worshiped in a large tent while waiting for a new, larger sanctuary, which was completed in 1950. The congregation again outgrew its facilities and added new buildings a decade later., In the 1960s, area school districts consolidated into the Westwood Independent School District. The church, which originally bore the name of the once rural Holmes Chapel School, later changed its name to reflect its place in the community, which had become known as Westwood following school consolidation., During its more than 100 years as a congregation, the Westwood United Methodist Church (Holmes Chapel Methodist Church) has continued to grow, serving its community through its many programs. To commemorate the contributions of families that nourished the growth of the congregation, members over the years have placed memorials around church grounds, continuing the commitment to community and worship made by the founding members in the 1880s.
In November 1883, Harriet McClanahan Holmes donated one acre of land to Anderson County and William M. Holmes donated funds for the Holmes Community School, where Minnie Lee Holmes served as the first teacher. In the schoolhouse that year, area residents organized the Holmes Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The Rev. Daniel C. Neel served as the congregation's first pastor.
The church outgrew the schoolhouse and built a sanctuary in 1899. At that time, church services were held once a month by the Rev. A. Methvin. The congregation used its second house of worship, located on Holmes Road, until 1948. The church, like the Palestine area, experienced growth due to new industry and a post-war population increase. After selling the Holmes Road property, the congregation worshiped in a large tent while waiting for a new, larger sanctuary, which was completed in 1950. The congregation again outgrew its facilities and added new buildings a decade later.
In the 1960s, area school districts consolidated into the Westwood Independent School District. The church, which originally bore the name of the once rural Holmes Chapel School, later changed its name to reflect its place in the community, which had become known as Westwood following school consolidation.
During its more than 100 years as a congregation,
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the Westwood United Methodist Church (Holmes Chapel Methodist Church) has continued to grow, serving its community through its many programs. To commemorate the contributions of families that nourished the growth of the congregation, members over the years have placed memorials around church grounds, continuing the commitment to community and worship made by the founding members in the 1880s.
Erected 2003 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13186.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1883.
Location. 31° 44.136′ N, 95° 40.149′ W. Marker is in Palestine, Texas, in Anderson County. It is at the intersection of Ridgewood Drive and West Oak Street (U.S. 79), on the right when traveling north on Ridgewood Drive. The marker is located at the front entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 Ridgewood Dr, Palestine TX 75803, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and in the Piney Woods. 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Houston (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Houston (approx. 0.8 miles away); Site of Knox Glass Company Plant (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fort Houston Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away);
Photographed by James Hulse, April 25, 2024
2. The Westwood United Methodist Church and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
