Lorena in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Lorena United Methodist Church
This church was organized in 1881 under the Rev. E.R. Barcus as pastor. The congregation met at first in the Baptist Church building. Trustees Herbert J. Hudson, A.J. Pool, and H.C. Williams bought the site and supervised the construction of the sanctuary in 1886. It owes its distinctive architecture to plans that came from the home church of trustee Hudson, a native of Cambridge, England. A very devout Methodist Layman, Hudson came to Lorena in 1877 and operated a store and private bank. Bishop A.W. Wilson dedicated the fine original church in 1887.
Asphalt shingles have replaced the wooden roof; louvers that attracted nesting birds have been removed from the tower; and there have been other alterations. Stained glass windows now enhance the structure. A classroom annex erected in 1922 was joined to the sanctuary by another unit in 1950. The later additions have been in the style adopted in 1886. The annex is open to many public gatherings, as the congregation takes an interest in the civic life of Lorena. Besides the successive pastors, leaders in the work of this church have included members of the Hath, Holey, Hooper, Rucker, Stanford, and Stewart families.
Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5372.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.
Location. 31° 23.064′ N, 97° 12.915′ W. Marker is in Lorena, Texas, in McLennan County. Marker is at the intersection of South Bordon Street and Betties Street, on the right when traveling north on South Bordon Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 S Bordon St, Lorena TX 76655, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. McBrayer City Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Lorena Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); Martin Irons (approx. 4.3 miles away); Site of Bruceville Methodist Church (approx. 4.4 miles away); Bruceville Baptist Church (approx. 4½ miles away); Stanford Chapel Cemetery (approx. 6.1 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 6.4 miles away); Flowers House (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lorena.
Also see . . . Lorena United Methodist Church. Church website homepage (Submitted on May 25, 2018.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2018, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 22, 2018, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.