First United Methodist Church, Grapevine

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker says about the First United Methodist Church in Grapevine, Tarrant County. Now settle in, because this story starts with one man on horseback and ends with something that's still standing today. In 1854, a circuit riding lay preacher by the name of Nathan Hudgins purchased acreage right in the middle of what is now Grapevine, Texas.

He'd come a long way to get there. Born May 10, 1814, Hudgins made his way to Texas in 1854 from Bellefonte, Alabama, and he brought his faith with him like a saddlebag full of something he wasn't about to leave behind. Now, the work of a circuit rider was strenuous and dangerous.

You're talking about a man covering rough country, in all weather, carrying the Word to people scattered across the land. So Hudgins did what a practical man does. He started conducting weekly and bi-weekly services right out of his own home.

But Hudgins was thinking bigger. He arranged for the establishment of the Grapevine Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1866, and worship continued in his home until 1873. The year before that, in 1872, E.N.

Hudgins and Susan L. Hudgins deeded two acres of land as a place of worship for the members of that church. Two acres, signed over.

That's a commitment. The following year, 1873, a structure went up, a real building at last. It stood for a while, but in 1887 a windstorm damaged it.

Texas weather has a way of reminding you who's in charge. So they built again. In 1901, a new structure rose, complete with a bell tower and a stained glass window, placed in honor of Reverend Hudgins, also known as El Nathan Hudgins, who passed away that very year.

Think on that. The congregation he planted, the land his family deeded, the church he gave his life to, all of it standing in tribute to him right at the moment he left. The congregation kept growing, and with growth came change.

Over the years, multiple buildings were built, removed, and renovated to accommodate the people filling those pews. Then in 1968, to reflect the merging of the National Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the name was officially changed to the First United Methodist Church, Grapevine. A new name for a church that had been growin' its roots for well over a century.

Today, its many ongoing ministries and community outreach programs have made it a faithful servant of the Grapevine community, providing service and love since Grapevine's establishment. One man on horseback, out of Bellefonte, Alabama, bought some acreage in the middle of nowhere in 1854. What grew from that is still there.

What the marker says

In 1854, Nathan Hudgins, a circuit riding lay preacher, purchased acreage located in the middle of present-day Grapevine. Reverend Nathan Hudgins (also known as El Nathan Hudgins) was born May 10, 1814, and came to Texas in 1854 from Bellefonte, Alabama. The work of circuit rider was strenuous and dangerous and Hudgins began to conduct weekly and bi-weekly services from his home. Seeking a more permanent church organization, Hudgins arranged for the establishment of the Grapevine Methodist Episcopal Church, south in 1866. Worship was held in his home until 1873. In 1872, E.N. Hudgins and Susan L. Hudgins deeded two acres of land for a place of worship for members of the Grapevine Methodist Episcopal Church. The following year, a structure was erected but damaged by a windstorm in 1887. A new structure was built in 1901 complete with a bell tower and a stained glass window in honor of Reverend Hudgins who passed away that year. As attendance increased, so did the need for larger facilities. Over the years, multiple buildings were built, removed and/or renovated to accommodate the growing congregation. In 1968, to reflect the merging of the National Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren Church, the name was changed to the First United Methodist Church, Grapevine. Many ongoing ministries and community outreach programs solidify the church as a faithful servant of the grapevine community, providing service and love since grapevine's establishment.