First United Methodist Church (San Marcos, Texas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First United Methodist Church |
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| First United Methodist Church San Marcos | |
First United Methodist Church in 2010
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 First United Methodist Church
Location in Texas
First United Methodist Church
Location in the United States
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| 29°53′2″N 97°56′34″W / 29.88389°N 97.94278°W | |
| Location | 129 W. Hutchison, San Marcos, Texas |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | United Methodist Church |
| Website | www.fumcsm.org |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 1847 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Style | Gothic Revival, Victorian Gothic |
| Years built | 1893 |
| Administration | |
| Division | Rio Texas Conference |
The First United Methodist Church is a very old and important church located at 129 W. Hutchison in San Marcos, Texas. Its unique look, called Carpenter Gothic, makes it easy to spot in the city. The main part of the church was built in 1893. However, the church community itself started much earlier, in 1847, when San Marcos was a very new town. This building is actually the third church to stand on this exact spot. The design of this historic 1893 church even inspired the look of the Old Main building at Texas State University!
How the Church Started
The First United Methodist Church community began on August 5, 1847. A traveling Methodist preacher named A.B.F. Kerr helped set it up. The first meetings were held in the log cabin home of the John D. Pitts family. This cabin was just one corner away from where the church stands today. There were only nine people who were the first members of the church.
After meeting at the Pitts home for two years, the church moved its services. They started using a public building that was also a school, courthouse, and community hall. Later, John D. Pitts bought some land along the San Antonio Road. He then gave his property in town, which included the current church site, to the church.
The First Buildings
In 1855, the Methodist church worked with the Masonic Order to build a two-story wooden building on the site. The church used the first floor for their services. The Masons used the second floor for their meetings. Sadly, only 13 years later, this building was destroyed by a fire.
A second church building was finished on the site in 1872. This one was made of red brick. The bell that hangs in the church's tower today was given for this brick church. It was a gift from a relative of Benjamin Hawkins, a person who worked with Native American tribes a long time ago. This bell is thought to be the oldest historical item in San Marcos. In 1891, just 19 years after it was built, the brick church started to get serious cracks. These cracks were probably caused by an underground crack in the earth. Because of the damage, the building had to be taken down.
The Church Today
The church building you see today was finished in 1893. It is shaped like a cross and built with strong cypress wood. It stands on large cedar posts. Inside, it still has its original curved pews, the pulpit where the preacher speaks, and the altar rail. These are all made of beautiful walnut wood. A group of young children, under seven years old, helped raise money for some of these items. They were called the "Society of Willing Workers." They helped pay for the walnut altar rail, the walnut pulpit, and a fancy light fixture over the pulpit. In 1893, all of this cost $75.
The inside walls still have their original beaded wood panels. The chandeliers hanging now are from the original cast iron decorations. These decorations even have little cherubs (angel-like figures) in the middle. On the backs of the pews, you can find cast iron racks for hymnals. There are also old wire holders under some pews where gentlemen used to put their hats!
In 1911, a balcony was added to the church. This balcony was bigger than the one you see today. Around the same time, the floor of the church was changed to slope downwards. This helped people sitting in the back see better.
In 1912, the church got San Marcos's very first pipe organ. It cost $3,500. This organ was changed to run on electricity in 1924. It has been fixed up and improved many times since then.
Between 1938 and 1939, beautiful art glass windows were put in. These replaced the old colored glass panes.
In 1974, the church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
From 1980 to 1981, the church community did a big renovation of the 1893 building. It cost $441,000. New roof shingles were made to look exactly like the original ones. The four-story bell tower, which had been closed off, was opened up again. This allowed people to see the old bell. The windows were taken out and repaired, and the pews were refinished. Plywood panels that covered the front wall were removed. This showed the original beaded wood and stained glass windows above the doors.
In 1983, special kneeling cushions were made for the altar rail. These cushions show the history of the church community. Betty Smith, a professional needlepoint designer and the wife of a former church minister, designed them. The women of the church then sewed them by hand.
In 2012, the church started more work to restore the historic building. The entire inside of the building was sanded down. Worn wood was fixed, and the inside was repainted. The carpet was replaced, and the hardwood floors at the front of the church were refinished and uncovered. The pews were moved so the floor could be fully checked. The pews themselves were also checked and repaired. More lights were added to make the choir stand out. The front part of the pipe organ was removed to be restored and repainted.
See also
