Tyler in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Marvin Methodist Church

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, May 17, 2025

1. Marvin Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. First church in Smith County. Organized 1848 by the Revs. Sam Box and Alexander Douglas. Had all-faiths services at first in log cabin on Courthouse Square, later in Adams blacksmith shop, south of Square. In 1852 built across street from this site, a 2-story church and lodge hall in cooperation with Masons.

Present church, erected 1890 (now Tyler's oldest church), was named in 1891 to honor Bishop Enoch Mather Marvin (1823-1877), C.S.A. Chaplain, famed in Missouri and Texas for powerful sermons.

Building was expanded 1923, 1942, 1952. Church has had 45 pastors.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1968

Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 7741.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the United Methodist Church Historic Sites series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 32° 21.034′ N, 95° 18.175′ W. Marker is in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. It is at the intersection of South Bois d'Arc Avenue and West Erwin Street, on the right when traveling south on South Bois d'Arc Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 W Erwin St, Tyler TX 75702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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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 walking distance of this marker: Christ Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Tyler Commercial College (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tyler Carnegie Library (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Tyler Commercial College (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Tyler Carnegie Library (about 400 feet away); Gov. Richard B. Hubbard (about 400 feet away); First Baptist Church of Tyler (about 500 feet away); Senator Thomas Glover Pollard (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tyler.

Also see . . . Marvin United Methodist Church. (Submitted on December 7, 2015.)

Marvin Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, December 6, 2015

2. Marvin Methodist Church

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, December 6, 2015

3. Marvin Methodist Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,146 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 4, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.