Decatur First United Methodist Church

Organized in 1862, this congregation is the oldest in Decatur. The Reverend J. R. Bellamy conducted the first services in a vacant store on the south side of the town square. Other churches were not started in the community until after the Civil War. Instrumental leaders in the development of the young church were charter members Stephen M. Gose and his wife Mary. A blacksmith and farmer, Gose had migrated to this area from Missouri. Their home and pump organ were used for many of the early services. The first sanctuary was constructed at this site in 1881. Property for the congregation was deeded by the county government. Built during the pastorate of the Reverend E. D. Dejernet, the edifice was destroyed by fire in the early 1890s. A second church structure for the fellowship was soon built at this location. It served the growing membership until the present brick sanctuary was completed. Constructed under the leadership of the Reverend A. R. Nash, it was dedicated at Easter services in 1914. An educational wing was added in 1940. (1980)

Decatur First United Methodist Church is a historical marker in Decatur, Wise County, dedicated in 1981. It is one of 91 historical markers documented in Wise County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 162 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.2334, -97.5847 near Decatur. The nearest cataloged historic site is Stone Prison, Old (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Tilghman, S. W., House, Wise County Messenger, and Terrell, Charles Vernon.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5497001198. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.