Isham Chapel Methodist Church

Duane's take

The official marker's got the story, and here's how I tell it. You know, some things in Texas get named and then the name just sticks, becomes part of the land itself. Isham Chapel Methodist Church is one of those things.

It bears the name of its founding minister, the Reverend Marion Isham, who came into this world in 1831 and left it in 1904, and in between found time to plant a congregation that's still standing today. The congregation itself was organized back in the 1870s; eleven charter members, which is a pretty lean crew to build something lasting on. But they managed.

Then in 1876, a man named B.H. Ross donated a parcel of land two miles south, and on that land a small frame church building was erected. Modest, sure.

But it stood. And for a good while, it did double duty: that little chapel housed a community school right alongside its Sunday worship, and it kept doing so until 1891. Over the years, the membership didn't shrink.

It grew, steadily, the way a deep-rooted thing grows. And by 1952, the congregation made a move, relocating to a rapidly growing community called Hurst. They weren't running from anything.

They were following where the people were going. By 1964 they were worshiping at a new site in Hurst, and the fellowship that started with eleven souls in the 1870s now goes by the name First United Methodist Church of Hurst. Reverend Isham's name may not be on the sign anymore, but his congregation?

Still going. That's not a small thing.

What the marker says

Named for its founding Minister, the Rev. Marion Isham (1831-1904), this congregation was organized in the 1870s with eleven charter members. In 1876 B.H. Ross donated land (2 Mi. S) for a church and school, and a small frame church building soon was erected. A community school met in Isham Chapel until 1891. Over the years the church membership increased steadily, and in 1952 the congregation relocated to the rapidly growing community of Hurst. Now known as First United Methodist Church of Hurst, the fellowship has worshiped at this site since 1964. (1983)