First United Methodist Church of Hempstead

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the First United Methodist Church of Hempstead, over in Waller County. Now settle in, because this one goes back a good ways. Back to a time when Hempstead itself was barely a notion on a map.

The Hempstead Town Company was founded in December of 1856, set up to sell lots in a brand new town. And before the paint was even dry on that idea, circa 1857, Methodism had already taken root. That's the kind of faith that doesn't wait for the paperwork to clear.

Then came 1859, and a revival added new members to the congregation already gathering there. Not only that, but those early believers had gone out and purchased a large building, adapted it for church use, and planted it right at the corner of 10th and Austin Streets. That property was officially conveyed to the Methodist Episcopal Church South on September 17, 1883.

Official and on record. Now, you might wonder what a church means to a young Texas town. The marker is plain about it.

The Methodist Church, along with other early community churches, served as the primary social institutions and gathering places, drawing in townspeople and rural community members alike, and influencing the rapid growth of Hempstead itself. These weren't just Sunday-morning affairs. These were the beating heart of the community.

And a congregation with that kind of purpose tends to outgrow its walls. Sure enough, they erected a new sanctuary in 1860. Then another in 1907.

In 1930, they relocated that 1907 structure to the northeast corner of Ninth and Washington Streets. And then, as if to put a proper cap on a century of building and rebuilding, the current structure was completed in 1957. Now the name above the door has changed a time or two along the way.

The congregation began as the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and was later called the First Methodist Church. Then in 1968, the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to become the United Methodist Church, and the Hempstead congregation took the name it carries to this day: First United Methodist Church of Hempstead. Through all those name changes and new buildings, the people kept showing up for one another.

The United Methodist Women got their start in 1900, organized then as the Ladies Aid. The United Methodist Men followed in 1953. Missionary work, community outreach, generation after generation carrying it forward.

Started circa 1857 with a congregation in a new town that barely existed. Still standing in Hempstead today. Some roots, it turns out, just don't let go.

What the marker says

Methodism in Hempstead began circa 1857, shortly after the Hempstead Town Company was founded in December of 1856 to sell lots in the new town. Church histories indicate that an 1859 revival added members to the existing Methodist congregation, and that the congregation had purchased a large building to be adapted for church usage. This building was placed at the corner of 10th and Austin Streets. This property was officially conveyed to the Methodist Episcopal Church South on September 17, 1883.The Methodist Church, along with other early community churches, influenced the rapid growth of Hempstead, serving as the primary social institutions and gathering places for both townspeople as well as rural community members.The church erected several buildings throughout the years, including new sanctuaries in 1860, 1907, a relocation of the 1907 structure to the northeast corner of Ninth and Washington Streets in 1930, and the construction of the current structure, completed in 1957.The church was originally known as the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and wqas later called the First Methodist Church. In 1968, the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to become the United Methodist Church, and the congregation in Hempstead took the name of First United Methodist Church of Hempstead. Since the church's founding, members have been involved in missionary work and community outreach, including formation of the United Methodist Women in 1900 as the Ladies Aid, and the creation of the United Methodist Men in 1953. (2008)