Shiner in Lavaca County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Methodist Church of Shiner
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of Shiner, Texas, was organized on November 1, 1887, in the office of L. P. Amsler, Shiner's first mayor. The Rev. C. C. Armstrong presided over the first service.
In 1889 local rancher David Kokernot donated a small building to the community which was relocated to a town lot deeded to the church by the Shiner Townsite Company. The upper floor of the building housed a Masonic Lodge and the ground floor was used for services of the Methodist congregation. Eliza Amsler Welhausen formed a Sunday School in 1890. The original Masonic Lodge/church building was relocated and a new sanctuary was erected in 1914.
The congregation began as a mission church and continued to be served by circuit preachers on a part-time basis until 1950 when a full-time pastor was appointed. By that time the congregation had formed a Vacation Bible School and a women's society. In 1954 the congregation was recognized as the outstanding rural church of the Southwest Methodist Conference.
A new three-level complex, built here in 1961 on 6.4 acres donated by the Welhausen Land and Cattle Company, represents the congregation's three distinct fields of activity: worship, education, and fellowship.
Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845-1995
Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1769.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical date for this entry is November 1, 1887.
Location. 29° 25.351′ N, 97° 9.745′ W. Marker is in Shiner, Texas, in Lavaca County. Marker is on Avenue E (Alternate U.S. 90) west of Church Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 West Church Street, Shiner TX 77984, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Saint Ludmila's Academy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sarah Creath McSherry Hibbens Stinnett Howard (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Patek Orchestras (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bluecher Park and Dance Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sunken Garden Dance Platform (approx. 0.7 miles away); Masonic Lodge Building (approx. 0.7 miles away); Cotton Industry in Shiner (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shiner.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 2, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on August 4, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.