First Methodist Church of Rock Springs

This congregation traces its beginning to organized religious gatherings led by the Rev. D. O. McAllister in a schoolhouse located on property owned by Mary Buswell in 1893. Early worship services were also held in a public schoolhouse and in the county courthouse. Contributors to the church's initial success include donors of land J. R. Stanford, S. A. Hough, and Dave Elms; organizers of Sunday Schools and church socials J. J. Gill, Ira L. Wheat, and Mrs. J. R. Stanford; and donors of buckets filled with silver dollars, saloon owners Herman Fleischer, Sr., Joe Burris and George Newton. The first church structure was built about 1900. It was used by the entire community for religious worship until other church buildings could be erected. A storm and tornado, so severe as to detach the church bell clapper and deposit it five miles away, ripped through the community in 1927 destroying the church structure and killing First Methodist Church minister H. L. Spires and his wife. The congregation quickly recovered and erected a new building in 1928. The congregation has supported missionary work in many parts of the world, including Korea and Zaire. Church pastors have continued the early practice of serving Methodist congregations throughout the county. (1992)

First Methodist Church of Rock Springs is a historical marker in Rocksprings, Edwards County, dedicated in 1992. It is one of 20 historical markers documented in Edwards County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 31 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.0177, -100.2055 near Rocksprings. The nearest cataloged historic site is American Angora Goat Breeders' Association, Headquarters (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Edwards County, Carson Store, Old, and Edwards County Courthouse.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5137001768. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.