First United Methodist Church of Navasota

The first worship services of the Methodist church in Navasota were held in 1853 in the community schoolhouse. The Rev. T. W. Blake served as part-time pastor for most of the antebellum and Civil War years. In 1866 the Houston & Texas Central Railroad deeded land at this site for use by the Methodist congregation. In that year, a frame building with shuttered windows was constructed for the fellowship. It was named Robert Alexander Chapel in honor of an early Methodist circuit rider in Texas. The chapel was also used by Navasota's Presbyterian congregation. In 1891 a rock building replaced the frame structure and was used until 1912, when a brick sanctuary was built. The current sanctuary was completed in 1959. Although the size of the congregation is relatively small when compared with that of other churches in the area, the First United Methodist Church of Navasota has served as host to the Texas Annual Conference of Methodist Churches. Throughout its history, this congregation has provided significant service and leadership to the community and has continued to uphold the ideals and traditions of its pioneer founders.

First United Methodist Church of Navasota is a historical marker in Navasota, Grimes County, dedicated in 1984. It is one of 73 historical markers documented in Grimes County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 213 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.3886, -96.0836 near Navasota. The nearest cataloged historic site is Youens, Jesse, Home (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Steele House, First Baptist Church of Navasota, and Brooks, Joseph, Home.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5185008575. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.