Cochran Chapel Methodist Church

Duane's take

The way this marker tells it, here's what happened on this very ground. Back in 1856, when Dallas County was still more mud and possibility than anything else, a woman named Nancy Jane Cochran made a decision. She was a widow, and she deeded this land (this specific piece of ground) for a Methodist church.

First site in all of Dallas County deeded for that purpose. A widow made it happen. Let that sit with you a moment.

Now, the congregation didn't wait around once they had that land. They set about building an edifice (thirty feet by forty feet) and the men of the church built it themselves. But here's where the story gets some texture: there was no lumberyard around the corner.

To get the wood for that church, they hauled it by wagon from Jefferson. Jefferson, Texas (one hundred and fifty miles to the east). You want to talk about commitment to a thing, there it is.

Wagon after wagon, a hundred and fifty miles, to raise a house of worship on land a widow gave them. They dedicated that first building in 1858. The Sunday School came along in 1879, putting down roots of its own.

Then the congregation outgrew what those wagons built, and a new building went up in 1885. They built again in 1924. And when even that wasn't enough, they added an annex in 1955.

Four buildings on the same ground. All of it starting with one deed, signed by one woman, Nancy Jane Cochran. Some foundations are made of lumber.

This one was made of something harder to haul.

What the marker says

On first Dallas County site deeded (1856) for a Methodist church. Donor was a widow, Nancy Jane Cochran. First edifice (30' x 40') was built by church men, of lumber hauled by wagons from Jefferson (150 mi. E), and dedicated in 1858. The Sunday School dates from 1879. Later buildings were erected in 1885, 1924 and (Annex) 1955. 1970