St. Paul Methodist Church

Duane's take

The way the official marker tells it, here's the story of St. Paul Methodist Church. Back in 1883, the Rev.

John Jackson led the effort to construct this building, and what that meant in Red River County is worth sitting with for a moment. This was one of the first Negro church buildings in the entire county. Before these walls went up, before there was a roof overhead that belonged to the congregation, the members worshipped in makeshift quarters.

Think about what it takes to keep a community of faith alive under those circumstances, and then think about what it meant when, finally, there was a place that was theirs. Rev. John Jackson led them to that.

In 1937, the church was rebuilt. And the congregation kept coming. Kept gathering.

Kept worshipping. Six generations have worshipped within these walls. Six.

That is not a number you arrive at quickly or easily. That is a number you earn through faithfulness, through showing up, through passing something real from one set of hands to the next. St.

Paul Methodist Church, Red River County. One building, one congregation, one unbroken line of devotion stretching across six generations. Some stories don't need a dramatic ending.

They just need to keep going.

What the marker says

Originally constructed in 1883 under leadership of the Rev. John Jackson. One of the first Negro church buildings in Red River County. Prior to this members worshipped in makeshift quarters. Rebuilt in 1937. Six generations have worshipped here. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1971