DUANE
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Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it: and it's a story that goes back a long way. Methodist worship services in this area date all the way to the late 1840s. No grand sanctuary, no steeple cutting against the Texas sky, just homes.
People gathering in parlors and front rooms, served by circuit riding ministers who made the journey out from Waxahachie. That's the kind of faith that travels light and roots deep. Somewhere along the way, the pioneer community of Hawkins got itself a schoolhouse, and that building pulled double duty, serving as a church as well.
Then, beginning in 1861, the Methodists of the area had a dedicated church building, this one over in Lebanon, another pioneer settlement holding its own out on that land. For more than two decades, Lebanon was home. But in 1883, the congregation made its move to Midlothian.
A new chapter, a new town. They worshipped and they waited, and finally, in 1902, a church building was completed. It had taken the better part of a lifetime since those first gatherings in somebody's living room, but there it stood.
Then came 1966, and a new house of worship was erected; the story still moving forward, still adding on. What strikes you, if you sit with this a moment, is that the marker notes something quietly remarkable: members of the church today include many descendants of its pioneer founders. The names in the pews and the names in the ground, not so far apart.
What the marker says
Methodist worship services in this area date to the late 1840s, meeting in homes, the people were served by circuit riding ministers from Waxahachie. A schoolhouse built for the pioneer community of Hawkins was also used as a church. Beginning in 1861 a church built in Lebanon, another pioneer settlement, served the Methodists of the area. The congregation moved to Midlothian in 1883, and a church building was completed in 1902. A new house of worship was erected in 1966. Members of the church include many descendants of its pioneer founders.