Church History

1855 is the birth date of First Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, Texas. But having said that, one must recall a collection of images in order to clarify the essence of the Community of Faith called Methodist in Mount Vernon.

Originally organized as a Methodist Episcopal Church of the South, in 1855, the people met for worship and study in the house of Joe Wylie Parchman. Before 1875, meetings were held in the Parchman home and as the congregation grew they utilized the "Masonic Building" until they were able to construct the first house of worship. Charter members were: Esquire C.S. Yates and his wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Parchman, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Parchman, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wylie Parchman, Mrs. Joel Arrington, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Matthews, and Captain and Mrs. Baker.

The original church building was replaced by a larger facility in 1896. A white frame structure, the second facility had a bell tower. ( The bell from that church building tower was relocated to the bell tower located in front of our present church in 1985.) A third structure was constructed in 1930 and the white frame building was razed. The Great Depression describes a great struggle for the Methodist congregation to survive; and this congregation chose to thrive.

The Methodist facility is truly a composite of Franklin County. Through the years, Methodists from Purley, Daphne and Floral Bluff have become one, worshipping in Mount Vernon. in May, 1981, the Terry Memorial United Methodist Church in Hagansport, Texas, merged with the Methodists in Mt. Vernon. The "Hagansport group" provides vitality of faith, commitment in service, to enrich the community of faith called Methodist.

In consummation of the hopes, plans and prayers of many, on May 26, 1985, the congregation moved into the new church location. On the church staff at the time of the move were Mrs. Charles Lowry, Organist; Mrs. Edward Joyce, Music Director; Mrs. Dorothy Burleson, Housekeeper; Mr. Charles Lowry, Chairiman of the Administrative Board; Dan Hoke, Pastor. The Building Committee was Sam Harvey, Chairperson, Hermon Connelly, Marilyn Joyce, Mike Jordan. Robert Robinson, Otis Slaughter, and the Pastor.

Many persons were involved n the work of planning the new church.  The congregation was asked to serve in five design and consulting sub-committee: Decor, Education Area, Kitchen and Fellowship Hall. Sanctuary, and Pipe Organ Search.  There were contributions to record and bills to pay, there were letters and publicity to type, there were many meetings, some conflict and important design and decor choices to make.  When moving time approached, every item in the former building had to he labeled as "sell if you can or move. When the actual move began, so did the volunteers, and the entire task was completed during the week of May 13th and Sunday afternoon, May 19th, 1985.  Changes were made to the present facility in 1992 with the addition of Rainbow Hall, which houses Rainbow Day Care and Preschool.  Rev. Don Pellikan serves as the church's pastor.

Excerpt from

The Service of Consecration

September 15, 1985

PASTORS SERVING THIS CONGREGATION

Records are that John H. McLean was Presiding Elder of Jefferson District in 1870. Mt. Vernon was in the Jefferson District. Rev. McLean stated that the remains of Rev. John N. Hamill and wife had been buried in Mt. Vernon cemetery prior to 1870. Rev. McLean stated that Rev. Hamill had served the Mt. Vernon Circuit, but no definite date of his services.

The following is all we have on record of the Mt. Vernon pastors, since 1870. Following Rev. Hamill were:

1870 -              John C. Smith

1871 -              Calvin J. Cook

1872 -              John C. Smith

1890-91 -        W.A. Coppege

1892 -             William Hay

1893-94           J.N. Hunter

1895 -              J W. Beckham

1896 -              J.W. Clinton

1898-01          W.T. Morrow

1902 -             C.R. Gray

1903 -            W.B. Martin

1904 -           J.E. Roach

1905 -           J.M. Kirk

1906-07        J.F. Holmes

1908 -           W.J. Bludworth

1909 -           T.A. Lisenby

1910 -           W.B. Byars

1911 -           N.C. Little, Mt. Vernon Circuit

1912 -           N.C. Little, W.J. Baker Jr., Preacher
1913-            N.C. Little, W.J. Baker

1914-            J. Leonard Rea, W.J. Baker

1915-            N.W. Oliver, Mt. Vernon Station

1916-            N.W. Oliver

1917 - 19      T.W. Preston

1920-            H. B. Chambers

1921-            S.M. Williams

1922 - 23      C.L. Bowen

1924-            T.R. Clendenin

1925 - 26      R.L. Ely

1927 - 28      T. H Morris

1929 - 30      E.C. Carter

1931-            C.B. Garrett

1932 - 36      S.M. Williams

1937 - 41      Carl D. Reynolds

1942 - 43      T.H. Browning

1944 - 47      J.C.Mann

1948 - 51      C.S. Wilhite (Part of 1951. Fred P. Broyles remainder of 1951)

1952 - 55      J.H. Westbrook

1956 - 61      Bill Stinson

1961-            Harold Taylor

1962-            Donley Culbertson

1963 - 67      Richard Perry

1967 - 70      Theo Wright

1970 - 75      Donald Holt

1975 - 78      Dr. James Walker

1978 - 83      Jack McNabb,

1983 - 91      Dan Hoke

1991 - 93      Dr. Roy L. Spore

1993 - 94      Glynn Vickers

1994 - 05      Bob Walker

2005 - __      Don Pellikan