Flatonia Methodist Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and here's how Duane tells it back to you. Somewhere in Fayette County, a congregation has been finding ways to keep the lights on, one way or another, since about 1855. That's where this story starts.

A group of settlers had come up from Alabama and put down roots in Texas, and among them was William Menefee, a man who had signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. So right away you know this is not an ordinary Sunday-morning crowd. They called their congregation Lane's Chapel, and in the beginning they met in a log cabin sitting out about six miles northeast of where you're probably standing right now.

That was their church. Four walls, a roof, and a lot of conviction. By 1859 they had moved up in the world a little, erecting a church school building over at Pine Springs.

Things were looking settled. Then 1873 came around, and the town of Flatonia was founded. And 1874, well, 1874 had something to say about Pine Springs.

The church burned. Just like that, the services at Pine Springs lapsed, and the members began to move toward town. For a stretch, worship was held in homes.

No building, no steeple, just neighbors opening their doors and making room. That went on until 1879, when this church was finally built. From a log cabin to a Pine Springs schoolhouse to somebody's parlor to a proper church in Flatonia.

That congregation kept the faith through every one of those moves, and the building standing here is the proof.

What the marker says

Founded about 1855 as Lane's Chapel by Alabaman settlers, including Texas Declaration of Independence signer William Menefee. Group met in log cabin (about 6 miles NE), then erected church school building (1859) at Pine Springs. Flatonia was founded in 1873. Services at Pine Springs lapsed when church burned 1874; members began to move to town. Worship was held in homes until this church was built in 1879.