Center City United Methodist Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll give it to you straight from the record. Way out in Mills County sits a little place called Center City, and before it was even called that, it went by Hughes Store. Not long after the town got its footing, in the early 1870s, a circuit riding preacher came through.

Now picture that. No permanent pulpit, no steeple on the horizon. Just a preacher on horseback, making his rounds across the Texas landscape, tending to souls wherever he could find them.

That went on for a spell, and then in 1878, charter members made it official. They formed a Methodist church right there in Center City. Of course, a brand new congregation still needs somewhere to gather, and they found their answer in the community's masonic lodge building.

They made good use of it while they worked toward something of their own. That something finally came together in 1901, when construction of a church facility was completed. From those early days, this congregation had a reputation for looking outward, not just inward.

By the 1950s, they were partnering with other churches, working with youth, and turning their attention all the way to foreign missions. Then in 1952, the members moved into a new church building. A circuit rider.

A borrowed lodge. A building of their own. And still going.

The congregation of Center City United Methodist Church continues to serve as a spiritual leader in its community to this day, and that is a story that started with hoofbeats.

What the marker says

In the early 1870s, shortly after the founding of Center City (first known as Hughes Store), a circuit riding preacher ministered in the area. Charter members officially formed a Methodist church in 1878. Members first met in the community’s masonic lodge building before completing construction of a facility in 1901. From its early days, the congregation was committed to serving the community. By the 1950s, members partnered with other churches to work with youth and to focus on foreign missions. In 1952, members moved into a new church building. Today, the congregation continues to serve as a spiritual leader in the community of Center City. (2008)