DUANE
Duane's take
The marker's the word on this one, friends — here's how Duane reads it. Now settle in, because this little church in Montague County has been through more than most. It started, as so many things in frontier Texas did, with a preacher on the move.
In 1872, the Reverend John F. Denton, a Methodist missionary, came through Montague and preached. That was the spark.
The next year, four members stepped up under the leadership of the Reverend Joseph Clinton Weaver — born 1846, died 1924 — and those four souls began what would become this fellowship. Four people. You remember that number.
Then in 1878, W.T. and E.A. Waybourn deeded two acres on the Old Nocona-Montague Public Road. A parsonage got built, and a meetinghouse went up directly across the road.
Now here's where the story gets interesting, because nothing about this congregation was content to stay put. In 1881, the sanctuary was moved — moved, whole — to this very site, land deeded by John Speer and J.D. Hagler.
That congregation had roots by then, deep enough to plant their church on new ground and keep growing. Then came 1905. A tornado rolled through and caused extensive damage.
A lesser fellowship might have called it a sign. These folks restored the building. And then in 1953, an annex was added.
What started with one traveling preacher and four determined members is still standing right here in Montague — moved once, torn up once, and still here. That'll tell you something about the people who built it.
What the marker says
In 1872 The Rev. John F. Denton, a Methodist missionary, preached in Montague. The next year four members under the leadership of The Rev. Joseph Clinton Weaver (1846-1924) began this fellowship. W.T. and E.A. Waybourn deeded two acres in 1878 on the Old Nocona-Montague Public Road. A parsonage was built and a meetinghouse erected directly across the road. In 1881 the sanctuary was moved to this site deeded by John Speer and J.D. Hagler. The building was restored after the 1905 tornado caused extensive damage. An annex was added in 1953. (1979)