First Methodist Church

Duane's take

The way the marker tells it, here's the story of the First Methodist Church in Alvarado, Johnson County. Now, before there was a building, before there was a bell, before there was so much as a proper pew to sit on, there was a hall. A simple hall, put up by a man named Wm.

Balch (the same man who, in 1851, founded Alvarado itself). That's the kind of man Balch was. Founding a town apparently wasn't enough to fill an afternoon, so he went ahead and put up a hall where folks could hold early services too.

Those early Methodists gathered there, making do with what they had, and they kept at it until finally, in 1866, they raised their first proper church building. Fifteen years in the making, and they had themselves something to be proud of. Then 1885 came along, and it burned.

Now, if that would've broken a lesser congregation, well, it didn't break this one. Because by 1886 and into 1887, they were already putting up what stands today: a Victorian building, full-throated and unashamed about it, complete with a spire reaching up toward the sky and lancet windows catching whatever light Johnson County had to offer. They added annexes in 1940, then again in 1950, and once more in 1960, growing right along with the town around them.

And that original bell (the one that rang out over Alvarado when this Victorian building was brand new) it's still there. Still has it. Still hanging.

Some things, it turns out, you just don't let go of.

What the marker says

Held early services in hall put up by Wm. Balch, who in 1851 founded Alvarado. First church built 1866, burned 1885. This Victorian building with spire and lancet windows, 1886-1887 annexes 1940, 1950, 1960. Still has original bell. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965