History:

One of the first Methodist congregations in the new Republic of Texas (1836-1845) was formed in Jasper. On horseback, "saddlebag" circuit riders frequently headquartered here–like venerable old Francis (Father) Wilson who exhorted and expelled demons and battled outlaws here. Henry Stephenson, first Methodist preacher to the old Texas Mission, died at a camp meeting here. Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson and his Lady Bird once worshiped here.

Such is the heritage of the First United Methodist Church of Jasper, Texas.

Local historians believe the first Methodist services were held here as a early as 1836 or 1837, but the first date appearing in official records is shown as 1839. The membership was 50. (Our present membership is almost 800.)

Early in 1839 several pioneering preachers reported holding "a most gracious revival of the community." Many were converted and a great change affected in the morals of the community. A district judge said before this meeting that he has "found it difficult to obtain men sober enough to organize a court." Afterwards, he said, Jasper was as quiet as any town in his district.

The Rev. E.L. Armstrong, teacher-preacher, who posted the Jasper Church from 1867-1870, told of Methodist services being held in the courthouse in 1850 when, during the sermon, "a drunken man ran his horse up and down the streets like a wild Camanche."

More than 20 years of Methodism in Jasper would pass before the Jasper congregation would have a permanent home. 1857 was a milestone year for the church members in the town of Jasper-they became property owners! On May 26, 1857, Gideon J. Goode, Manley Lee Hester, A.N. Perkins and Zacheus Ryall, as trustees of the church, purchased one acre of the southeast corner of a 100 acre tract owned by seller, Harriet Trotti. The church is now occupying its fourth house of worship. Each has occupied the same orginal lot and all have been unique.

Successive buildings have evolved from the simple, basic boxlike chapel which members built themselves of hand-hewn timbers in 1859. Unpainted with exposed rafters, so cold in the winter that services were often canceled, lighted by candles in handmade wooden sconces attached to the walls, it perched on wooden blocks and was topped by a small flat-roofed bell tower.

In the half-century between the construction of the first and second buildings (1906) women of the church "came of age." Not only did they enter by way of the front door, sitting on the factory-made pews of their choice, they overcame stubborn male opposition to a new building by financing the project themselves, in their economy, even allowing for two stained glass windows. In appearance, "the church the women built," replacing the old decaying structure, was almost a miraculous transformation. It served the congregation for 20 years.


The third church of red brick, a familiar landmark here for 45 years, was dedicated in 1926. Not only was it the first brick building in Jasper, it housed one of the only full pipe organs in this part of the country, its solid brass pipes rising majestically above the pulpit. The last service was held there on Sunday, July 17, 1969.

Completed in 1971, the present building-a sprawling contemporary complex-bears little resemblance to its original predecessor. The only reminder of that first little clapboard chapel is the original church bell, selected by a local merchant, Cam Price, on a buying trip to New York in 1859. Carefully removed from church to church, it now hangs on its own little belfry in the church courtyard between the sanctuary and the office complex. In addition, the stained glass windows of the present structure have a bit of their own history. The "Christ the Good Shepherd" windows originally came from the red brick structure built in the 1920s. In fact, six windows were removed from that building when demolition began, with the plan to restore them and use them in the new sanctuary. However, an employee of the window company realized their value and stole them. They were recovered by the police, but only the one could be repaired. The other five damaged windows were replaced by windows that had been acquired from other older churches.