Bridgeport in Wise County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 30, 2026
1. First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport Marker
Organized in 1893, the same year the Rock Island rail line reached the Bridgeport area, this congregation first held its worship services under brush arbors and in the Masonic Lodge building. Methodist circuit rider Ben W. Bounds preached the first sermon on June 23 of that year. Within the first year of the church's founding, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Johns donated land for a church building on what became known as "Methodist Hill."
The Methodists in Bridgeport worshiped in their new space until it burned and was rebuilt during the pastorate of the Rev. Jack Lowry at the end of the 19th century. Growth and development throughout the 20th century resulted in the First Methodist Church moving to a new site with expanded facilities in the 1960s.
As Bridgeport grew from a coal mining town to a commercial center for area ranchers and dairy farmers to a popular tourist destination for visitors to Lake Bridgeport, the Methodist church has maintained its active commitment to the community. Outreach and education programs play a strong role in the congregation's mission and ministry. For more than 100 years, the First United Methodist
this page online
Erected 2001 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12553.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is June 23, 1893.
Location. 33° 12.191′ N, 97° 44.972′ W. Marker is in Bridgeport, Texas, in Wise County. It is at the intersection of 17th Street and Stadium Drive, on the right when traveling north on 17th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 608 17th St, Bridgeport TX 76426, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, 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, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Col. William Hudson Hunt (approx.
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 30, 2026
2. First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport and marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
