Sardis Methodist Church

Neighbors in a small rural community in this area gathered together in 1872 to organize a church congregation. The need for a house of worship was met when members of the community worked together to cut trees and built a log structure. The two acres of land on which the church was built were formally deeded to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, by J. M. Hughes and his family in 1894. The congregation had outgrown the original church building, and construction was begun that year on a new sanctuary. Under the leadership of the Rev. John Goodwin, the new wooden structure was built by church members. The name Sardis Methodist Church was chosen by the Rev. H. Toomie, presiding elder of the denominational conference. The Sardis congregation was served by circuit-riding ministers until the 1940s. It remained active until 1972, when it was disbanded. Members of the community raised funds to renovate the building and the congregation was reorganized in 1986. Still the focal point for the community, the church is used for special services such as weddings, funerals, and homecoming celebrations.

Sardis Methodist Church is a historical marker in Center, Shelby County, dedicated in 1989. It is one of 35 historical markers documented in Shelby County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 124 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.8048, -94.0809 near Center. The nearest cataloged historic site is Sardis (cemetery), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Sardis School, The First Battle, and Pennington, Sydney O..

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5419007693. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.