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Grapeland's First United Methodist Church was organized in 1888 by Pope Pledger of
Reynard, assisted by Reverend Bolton of Crockett. The first services were held in a little
boxed schoolhouse. Charter members were: Reverend Duran, Hannah Johnson, John Foster
and wife, B. F. Hill and Mrs. P. C. Yarbrough. Pope Pledger was a circuit rider for the
Methodist Church. Our church was served by a circuit rider at this time and our first circuit
preacher was Reverend J. L.Whitescarver. In addition to being a circuit preacher, Reverend
Whitescarver was also a gunsmith. The land where our present parsonage stands was
acquired in 1893 and the first church building was constructed on that site. Reverend D. L.
Gain was the pastor. A bell tower was built but had no bell. In December of 1895, the newly

organized Grapeland Amateur Dramatic Club asked permission of the Town Hall Co. to use
the Town Hall (upper story of the school) to present a play to raise money to buy a bell for
the Methodist Church.

The church recieved this bell in 1893 and it was used for many years to call the members to
worship.Years later, when church bells went out of style, Mr. Frank Taylor acquired this bell
and used it for a farm bell. In October of 1924, the next and present building of First
Methodist opened at 114 North Oak Street at Locust Street. B. C. Anderson was the
pastor. At that first worship service there were five babies baptized. They were Henry Ed
Luker, George E. Darsey III, Clifford Howard, Jacquelyn Jones, and Clarence McCarty. The
first wedding in the new facility was that of George R. Darsey and Agnes Murray. The church
notes for this building were burned and the church was dedicated in 1929. The twentieth
anniversary of this building was celebrated on October 15, 1944 with Reverend Chester
Phillips as pastor. The fortieth anniversary was held on October 25, 1964 with Reverend
Jesse Roberson as pastor. The fiftieth anniversary was in 1974 and Reverend Jed Hampton

was the pastor. The seventieth anniversary was held in 1994 with Revernd Bill Smale as the
pastor.

Men of the Church

Through the years the men of the church have always taken a very active part in seeing to the
churches repairs, upkeep, and renovation. This began with the construction of the first church
in 1894 to the day it was torn down. On April 15, 1924, businesses closed, the men gathered
to tear it down, salvaging the good lumber to be used in the construction of the new church.
There was "dinner on the grounds" provided by the wives of the workers as they encouraged
the men on with their work. It has continued over the years in this church since 1924. And so
it has continued - the women prodding the men to get something done! These men and
women had also thought ahead and four years before had made pledges of money to be used
for the purpose of erecting a new church building. The church value was $23,750 and only
$7,000 had to be borrowed to pay for it. In 1899 an unusual way of raising money for the
church was thought of by W. B.Johnson, Mose Spence, George E. Darsey Sr., and Dr. H. S.

Robertson. Our local newspaper was to be sold so they bought it with plans to use the profits
for the building of a Methodist Parsonage. Dr. H. S. Robertson was to be the editor and a
young man "Kid" Lucker was his printer's devil.

Women of the Church

The women have always played an active part in our church. Their group used to be known
as the "Missionary Society." When this church was built, they ran a rummage sale every
Saturday on the Darsey Store Warehouse porch. This money was used to buy many

niceties for the church. Mrs. Lorena Darsey, Fannie Belle Boykin, and Minnie Witt Richards,
with the help of their grandchildren continued this project as long as their health permitted. In
recent years the project has begun again on a more limited basis with the Church's annual
Labor Day Weekend Garage Sale and Bar-B-Que. The memorial fund was begun in the late
forties by the women with their first goal being to buy a new organ. The church's memorial
stained glass windows were also a special project of the women of the church.

There are currently two women's groups, the United Methodist Women Grapeland Chapter
and the Love Circle. The UMW supports the missionary activites of the General Board of
Global Ministries and the Love Circle supports local charities of various types.

Fellowship Hall

The current fellowship hall was the first of its kind in the community and it became the
community gathering place for such events as the Junior-Senior Banquets, Football Banquets,
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and many other community activities. The story is told that in 1948-
51 there was a pastor here who was an expert at calling square dances, folk dances, ring play
or whatever. These activities raised the eyebrows of many from other denominations in the
area, as the fellowship hall became "the place" after church on Sunday nights.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School began in this church in the early 1930's by Reverend O. E. Vivian and
it lasted six weeks each summer. Even though he was near retirement, he was especially fond
of young people and many batches of fudge were made and candy pulls were held at the
parsonage. At that time the youth group was called the Epworth League.

Christmas

Christmas has always been a time of pagentry in the church. Many young men representing
the wisemen have paraded down the center aisle modeling the latest styles in bathrobes and
wearing towels draped as turbans. When Brother Watson was pastor here in 1937, he

devised a spectacular lighted star that descended from the balcony and rested over the
manger.

The beautiful Christmas trees that the church has had each year are the results of the work of
the women (with the assistance of the men in getting the tree up). The beautiful Crismon Tree
ornaments were made by the women of the church under the leadership of Ardis Slack and

Georgia Belle Richards. The Christmas and Easter seasons haven always been a time of
cooperation among all the churches in the area to have activities in keeping with the spirit of
the season - religious parades, cantatas, and special programs. The chimes, donated in 1961
in memory of Mrs. W. G. Darsey by her family always add special beauty to the services not
only at Christmas time, but through out the entire year.

Service to the Church

The contributions and service of the many ministers who have passes this way are endless. In
the memory of our older members, Reverend B.C. Anderson stands out as a religious leader
with exceptional organizational and money raising abilities. He helped carry the plans for the
building of the current facility to completion. Our history could not be complete if we failed to
mention with pride the service of Reverend Jack Shoultz. Jack grew up in this congregation
and went on to great service in the Texas Annual Conference where he served over forty
years as a pastor to various churches and served two terms as a District Superintendent.
After retiring he returned home and became active once again in our congregation. He served
for a period of 1999 as interim pastor of the congregation following the death of another of

our beloved pastors, Reverend Tom Morris. Under the leadership of many fine pastors,
board members, Sunday school teachers, and Church members, this Church has made a
great contribution to the spiritual and moral development of our community.

Grapeland First United Methodist Church is growing. Our current facility is being replaced
and relocated. to the 287 Bypass in a brand new larger building. It is the wishes of the
congregation to expand membership and multiply our services to the community. We
welcome all to come serve the Lord with us, experience the connectivity of a loving and
caring local congregation and strong world wide organization.

May the peace of God be with You.