Grace Methodist Church

Methodist missionary efforts in this area date to the late 1830s. Circuit-riding ministers served Methodists in Palestine from the time of its founding as the Anderson County seat in 1848. In 1850 church members built a frame sanctuary and in November of that year the East Texas Conference was held in the new building, named Bascom Chapel in honor of an early Methodist bishop. The arrival of the railroad in 1872 resulted in a population boom for Palestine, and in 1884 a new church, named Centenary for the 100th anniversary of Methodism in the United States, was built. Three years later, the congregation divided to form the present First United Methodist Church and Grace United Methodist Church. Initially called Methvin Chapel in honor of the Rev. Alex Methvin, this congregation built Howard Avenue Methodist Church in 1898. After it burned in 1913, a new sanctuary was constructed at this site and named Grace Methodist Church. Long a supporter of local and foreign missionary efforts, Grace United Methodist Church continues to serve the community with a variety of worship, educational, and outreach programs. (1995)

Grace Methodist Church is a historical marker in Palestine, Anderson County, dedicated in 1995. It is one of 115 historical markers documented in Anderson County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 229 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.7666, -95.6344 near Palestine. The nearest cataloged historic site is Firstt Baptist Church of Palestine (historical marker), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Palestine Lodge No. 31, A. F. & A. M., Eilenberger's Bakery, and St. Mary's Academy, Site of.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5001008759. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.