History

Methodist congregations formed in Goliad County between 1840 and 1847. Although documented history of Methodism in the community of Goliad begins in 1847, a congregation organized about 1840 as a part of the circuit which included Victoria. Records show that Joseph T. Sneed, Daniel Carl, J. W. DeVilbiss and David L. Bell were the earliest pastors to preach on a regular basis in Goliad and in the community on Perdido Creek which later became the town of Fannin. All early records of these church were either lost to fires or storms, or misplaced. When Joseph Hord was appointed to Goliad in1847, the Goliad church recorded more members than San Antonio.

The early Methodist preachers were active in their community. Besides preaching and holding camp meetings, they were involved in various enterprises. The Goliad Express, founded in 1855, was published by two Methodist preachers, Cox and Pierce, until it changed hands in 1859. Rev. Alexander F. Cox, who came to Goliad in 1856, was not only involved in newspaper operation, but also became President of Aranama College. During the Civil War, he acted as Confederate tithe collector.