White Deer United Methodist Church

A Methodist Church was first formed in White Deer in 1911. The Rev. W.B. McKeown, who worked to form several panhandle Methodist congregations, organized the church’s seven charter members. The congregation shared the town’s school building with several denominations until the Presbyterians later in 1911 constructed a church building, which also was shared with the other churches in White Deer. In 1918, trustees of the Methodist Church purchased six lots for the construction of their own sanctuary. The building, completed in 1922, was situated on the northeast corner of West Fourth and Doucette Streets. The church’s first parsonage was erected in 1926. When a tornado devastated White Deer and destroyed the town’s schools in 1951, the Methodist Church opened its doors as one of several temporary school sites. When the church outgrew its first structure, the congregation moved to a new site at the intersection of West Eighth and Main Streets in 1960. This new building, constructed at a cost of $96,000, was completed debt-free. Community outreach has been an important part of the church’s ministry since its inception. Church women formed a ladies aid society in 1916 in support of missionary work, and the group is now known as the United Methodist Women; a Methodist men’s organization was first organized in 1956. A community food pantry was begun as a ministry of the church in 2004 and it continues today as a joint effort between several churches and volunteers. White Deer United Methodist Church, the oldest continuously active congregation in the community, endures as a spiritual leader.

White Deer United Methodist Church is a historical marker in White Deer, Carson County, dedicated in 2010. It is one of 42 historical markers documented in Carson County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 46 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 35.4291, -101.1693 near White Deer. The nearest cataloged historic site is First Baptist Church of White Deer (historical marker), about 0.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include First Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church Building, and Hotel at White Deer.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507016355. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.