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

First United Methodist Church

of Tenaha

Photographed by James Hulse, March 15, 2025

1. First United Methodist Church of Tenaha Marker

Inscription. This Methodist Church was one of the first institutions established in Tenaha after its founding in 1886. The congregation was established by Methodists from the Woods Post Office and Ramah communities, who had come to help develop a railhead town for the Houston East & West Texas Railroad.

The Methodist congregation was served by circuit preachers for many years. The members constructed their first sanctuary in 1890 during the pastorate of the Rev. W.L. Pate of the Woods circuit. A second building, completed in 1928, served the growing congregation, until 1971, when a new sanctuary was built.

For many years, the ministers who served this fellowship lived in the Woods community, but as Tenaha grew, a house was rented here for a parsonage. The First Methodist Church was given its first full-time minister in 1946.

Throughout its history, the congregation has placed an emphasis on missionary work, particulary through the efforts of the women's groups. The First United Methodist Church of Tenaha has provided significant service and leadership to the community. Descendants of many of the founders continue to worship

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

here.

Erected 1985 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7684.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 31° 56.664′ N, 94° 14.555′ W. Marker is in Tenaha, Texas, in Shelby County. It is at the intersection of North George Bowers Drive (U.S. 59) and McNeill St, on the right when traveling north on North George Bowers Drive. The marker is located at the entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 256 N George Bowers Dr, Tenaha TX 75974, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow

Photographed by James Hulse, March 15, 2025

2. First United Methodist Church of Tenaha Marker

flies: Ramah Cemetery (approx. 1.7 miles away); Woods New Hope Baptist Church (approx. 4.3 miles away); Tennessee Methodist Church (approx. 4½ miles away); Tennessee Community Cemetery (approx. 4½ miles away); Tennessee Presbyterian Church (approx. 4½ miles away); Woods Methodist Church (approx. 4.6 miles away); George Washington Green (approx. 5.2 miles away); Site of Truitt Community (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tenaha.

First United Methodist Church of Tenaha image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 15, 2025

3. First United Methodist Church of Tenaha

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 18, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.