First Methodist Church of Livingston

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the First Methodist Church of Livingston. Now, some stories start with a bang, and some start with a preacher and a front porch. This one starts with a preacher and a front porch.

The year was 1848, two years after Livingston had taken its place as the seat of Polk County, and the Reverend Blackwell Dunnam set about organizing a congregation. No building, no bell tower, no stained glass catching the morning light. Just members' homes, open doors, and whatever faith folks could carry in with them.

That was church. For a good while, that was enough. But a congregation with roots tends to want walls to grow against.

Come 1859, during the pastorate of the Reverend D. M. Stovall, they raised a sanctuary on the corner of Church and East streets.

Now here's the thing about that building. It didn't belong only to the Methodists in spirit. Several congregations used it.

And when Sunday gave way to Monday, it turned into a community schoolhouse. One building doing the work of many, the way things had to be done on the Texas frontier. The Methodists kept growin', kept going, and in 1911 they built themselves a new structure over at 302 West Church Street.

That one served its time, and then in 1948 and 1949 it was replaced. From a member's parlor in 1848 to a proper home on West Church Street, rebuilt and renewed, the congregation just kept at it. Upholding the traditions of its founders, the marker says.

And after nearly a century and a half, that's not a small thing to say.

What the marker says

The Rev. Blackwell Dunnam organized this congregation in 1848, two years after Livingston became Polk County Seat. Early worship services were held in members' homes. A sanctuary was erected on the corner of Church and East streets in 1859 during the pastorate of the Rev. D. M. Stovall. It was used by several congregations and also served as a community schoolhouse. The Methodists built a new structure at 302 W. Church Street in 1911; it was replaced in 1948-49. Upholding the traditions of its founders, the church continues to serve the community.