Methodist Parsonage

Duane's take

The way the official marker tells it, here's the story of the Methodist Parsonage in Montgomery County. Back in 1838, during the days of the Republic of Texas, one of the very first Methodist charges was established right here in Texas. Think about that.

The Republic was barely finding its footing, and already the Methodists were staking their claim, setting up one of the first charges in the whole territory. And they didn't stop there. That first Montgomery parsonage, whenever it went up, carried a distinction no other congregation in the state could claim.

It was the first parsonage built by any Protestant church in Texas. Not just the first Methodist parsonage. The first Protestant parsonage.

Period. Now, a parsonage is a home, a place for the minister to hang his hat, to eat his supper, to prepare the next Sunday's sermon. And the Methodists in Montgomery were the first Protestant congregation in this entire state to build one.

That's the kind of quiet, foundational thing that tends to get overlooked when folks are busy writing up the more dramatic chapters of Texas history. But foundations have a way of mattering. The first parsonage served its time, and then in 1886, this second Montgomery parsonage was bought.

A new chapter for the same old mission. 1838 to 1886, and still standing. Some things are built to last.

What the marker says

In one of first charges to be established in Texas (1838) in time of the Republic. First Montgomery parsonage was first built by any Protestant church in Texas. This second Montgomery parsonage was bought in 1886. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965