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HISTORY OF THE REAGAN, TEXAS METHODIST CHURCH
The Reagan Methodist Church was founded in 1872 by Reverand Theodore Gilletee, a Methodist preacher from Bee County in south Texas who was visiting his sister, Mrs. H.E. Johnson. The original church was located at Shady Grove which was located about 3-1/2 miles from the present church location and the first minister was Reverand Howell Taylor. Some of the early members of the church included the following families: Marlin, Adams and Covington. The first Sunday School Superintendent was Jim Hayes followed by H. A. Carlton and C. Ward.
In 1883, a new church was built in Reagan largely due to the efforts of "Uncle" Newt Crouch, chairman of the board of stewarts and Reverand T. F. Dimmitt, church pastor at that time. However, this church building burned down on September 27, 1892.
The Tennessee (Huffman) Rogers, the Widow of Nathaniel Franklin Rogers who laid out the new town of Reagan in 1871, donated the land where the present Reagan Methodist church stands.
Under the leadership of Rev. J.B. Cochran, the Methodist Minister, construction was immediately started on the present church and the first service in the new church (the present Reagan Methodist Church) was held on March 12, 1893.
The following interview with Mr Obe Adams, of Mart, Texas has a lot of early-day history of the Reagan Methodist Church:
"I was born in 1857 in Grimes County. My parents came to Texas in 1836 and came with some of Sterling Robertson's colony. They settled on the lower Blue Ridge, a settlement near Reagan, Texas. I was about 13 years of age when the Houston and Texas Central railroad came through the community of what is now the town of Reagan, Texas.
"We had a little school and church house combined called the Shady Grove school and church. I helped to build this building. Some of the members were my father, I.N.and Bad Crouch, and the Powers family, others I will mention in the history of the church. I remember that Rev. Kinnard was a Primitive Baptist preacher and preached in the homes.
"I was married in 1875, to Emmiline Crouch and we had three children. Mary, Tom, and Fannie. The two girls are married and still living, our son, Tom lived to marry and had a family now deceased. My wife died in January of 1883, and in 1894 I married Miss Lillie Miles of Reagan. She was a daughter of Benjamen Miles and Sarah Jane Crouch Miles. My wife, is still living with me and to this marraige was born to us ten children. Six of whom lived to be grown, the others dying in childhood. The ones who lived to be grown are Mrs Mike Matthews, (Bessie)deceased). Mrs Bonnie Hudgins of Little Rock Arkansas. Frank, deceased, Mrs Ercie Woodward Corsicana Texas. Mrs Vera Rutherford, Mart, and Loraine, Mart.
"My present wife is a relative of the Marlin family through the Crouch family. They came with the Sterling Robertson colony and one of the ancestors on the Crouch side of the family was in the fight between the white men and the Indians in the battle which took place ten days after the Morgan -Marlin massacree, at what is called Morgans Point, and where still stands the cabin which one of the Morgans lived. (This cabin is owned by the Misses Gill of Mart, who are grand-daughters of Mr Oakes, the only one to which the deed to the land has been given since the Mexican government deeded it to the Morgan family about the year 1836.)
"The coming of the Houston and Texas Central railroad through the country from Bremond to Waco, caused some of the families on the Ridge to move into the towns to be nearer the better schools and churches as they began to build up. However after the old Shady Grove church had dissolved and the members had their letters in Reagan, and other churches, it was used for a picnic ground for many years.
"Organization of the Methodist church South, began in Falls county as early as 1849 when that church had a missionary in the field. This was before the county was organized. This pioneer missionary was Rev. DeVilbis. One of the first services after reaching the field was at the residence of Wm. Capps, a pioneer settler in this vicinity for whom one of the prominent streets of Marlin is named. Our community for some time was the base of operation throughout this section and this missionary was the first to represent the Methodist church in this field. I will give you the following brief history of the Reagan Methodist church as collected by Mr Zeb Burke and Mr Henry Kelley of Reagan.
"The Methodist Church at Reagan, Texas, was first organized through the efforts of Rev. Theodore Gillette, a preacher living at that time in Bee County, Texas. The founding of a church at Reagan was the result of a visit made Rev. Gillette to his sister, the late Mrs. H.E. Johnson and while here on the visit conferred with several of the Methodist families then residing in or near Reagan. These families included the Marlin, Adams, Covington, and other families. As a result of these conferences, it was decided that to establish a church to serve this community, and it was further decided that a location be selected which in later years became widely known as Shady Grove, which is located some three and one half miles east of the present town of Reagan.
"The first pastor of the newly founded church was Rev. Howell Taylor in the year of I872; and he was followed in turn J. J. Davis in I873, and W. T. Melugin I874-I875, Frank Compton in I876, S. S. Scott I877, M.M. Glass in I878, B. F. Gassaway[?] I879-I880, J. P. Musset in I88I, C. S. Weaver in I882, H. T. Hart in I883.
"It was during the ministry of Rev. Hart that the trustees of the church at Shady Grove, led by Uncle Newt Crouch as Chairman of the Board, in August I883, purchased three town lots in the town of Reagan from the Houston and Texas Central Railroad Company at $I05.00, and erected threron the first Methodist Church in the town of Reagan proper. This church was built under contract by W. A. McClarty of WootenW Wells, Texas, and was painted by Mr. Charlie Elgin, a resident {Begin page no. 4}of Reagan at that time. This section caused a consolidation which gradually led to the abandonment of the Shady Grove site, but that location was used for several years afterwards as the place of many famous camp meetings which were popular in that period.
"The pastor at the time the church was built was Rev. T. F. Dimmitt who came to Reagan in I884 and stayed here as pastor three years. He was followed by F. L. Allen in I887, G.C.STovall in I888, W. Wooten in I889, O. T. Hotchkiss I890, J. M. Armstrong I89I, J. B. Cochran I892, I893, and I894.
"The Sunday School was immediately organized in the new church with Bro. Jim Hays as first superintendent; Bro. Hays was followed in this connection successively by H. A. Carlton and Brother C. Ward.
"On Sept. 27, I892, two small boys, one a white boy by the name of Carpenter and the other a negro boy by the name of Dan Channey having found a nest of pigeon eggs and accordingly decided to have a feast and went into the church and obtained a can of kerosene oil kept in the building as fuel for lights and to build fires in the stove, and poured the oil on the floor and started a fire for their eggs. The result was the loss of the Carpenter boy's dog, the feast of roast pigeon eggs and the church building on which there was no insurance.
"The pastor at the time of the fire was Rev. J. B. Cochran, and work of raising funds to build a new church was immediately started. The pastor made a list of the membership of the Church and assessed each member his part to meet the expenses of the new building and it is recorded that every member responded to the assessment, many at considerable sacrifice to themselves and paid their part toward the new church. It is related in this connection that Brother M. W. Cabaniss sold his fine saddle horse to raise his part and that Brother A. M. Anderson sold one of his best mules to meet his assessment. Both of these men are still in Reagan to recall the loyalty of the membership on this occasion. There were doubtless other cases where extreme sacrifice was made to raise the amount needed.
"The new church built to replace the burned one, was located on the present site, a gift of Grandma Tennessee Rogers, and a building was erected there and it is in that building that we meet today to celebrate the 45th. anniversary of the first services held in this building. The date was March I2, I893. On this Sunday School was conducted by the Superintendent, C. Ward, and the opening song number 878 in the old Hymnal. All officers were present and all teachers were present with the exception of Isaac Crouch, teacher class Number 2.
"The first officials of the church were as follows: Rev. J. B. Cochran, Pastor in Charge, Bro. C. Ward, Superintendent of the Sunday School and Steward, N. A. Carlton, Librarian, I. N. Crouch, R. O. Adams, W. H. C. Scheibagen, Henry W. Ward, J. T. Pruett, S. H. Robertson, and A. M. Anderson were stewards. The trustees of the church were I. N. Crouch, R. P. O. Adams, and T. J. Pruett. {Begin page no. 6}"The following were the teachers of the Sunday School classes, W. H. C. Scheibagen, Mrs. Bettie Rogers, Isaac Crouch, Mrs. M. E. Crouch, Mrs Frank Carlton, and Mrs. Julia Anderson.
"At the first Sunday School services there were thirty-five scholars present, thirty-two being absent. The Scripture Lesson was Esther the 4th. Chapter, verses I0-I7; and 5:I-3. The subject of the lesson was "Esther Before the King." The offering for the Sunday School on this Sunday was $I.55. On the Sunday School roll at the time of this first service and still active and enrolled today were the following people, Mrs. H. W. Ward, Mrs. E. R. Boyles, Mrs. Leona Burke, Mrs. A. M. Anderson, Mr. Dave Ward, and Mr. Luther Ward. There are also eight others who still live in Reagan who were on this Sunday School roll in I893 at this first service, but who, because the infirmities of age or loss of health, are not at present in regular attendance.
"In further connection with the building of the new church, it is related that the bell in the new church building,, the same one now in use was hung by M. W. Cabaniss, W. B. DeWalt, Tom Rogers, Isaac Crouch and J. B. Cochran, the pastor. In hanging the bell, this group enclosed themselves inside the steeple and were forced to crawl through the lattice work to reach the ground. When the bell had been hung, the pastor, Rev. Cochran, asked that whomever of the group that were living when he should die, should toll the bell in his memory. The only living member of the group to survive him, was M. W. {Begin page no. 7}Cabiness, who not hearing of the death of Rev. Cochran for a considerable peroid of time, was not able to carry out his wish.
"Church and conference records reveal that at the time of building this church there were on this charge, which included Bremond and Wooten Wells, 369 members, during the year 1893, 24 were added on profession of faith, 7 by certificate and I3 were removed by death and otherwise. I7 infants were baptized, and 9 adults were baptized this first year. The financial accomplishments of the charge during this first year were as follows: Pastors salary $700.00, presiding elder $100.00, bishop $13.00, conference collection $56.00, Foreign Missions $87.50, Domestic Missions $49.35, Church Extension $30.00, Education $21.00, Delegate to General Conference $8.00, District Parsonage $12.00, and for printing and conference minutes $5.00--a total for the year of $1083.10.
"Since that time the following men have become preachers from this church, Jim Adams, Bob Adams, Cal. Adams, A. T. Walker, and A. J. [Malloway?], all of these have rendered notable services to the church and to the Cause of Christianity in the world and each were devoted followers of the Lowly Nazarene and were faithful shepherds of their flocks as they went about doing good. Two of them are still active in the ministry, Rev. A. T. Walker and Rev. Bob Adams. {Begin inserted text}{Begin handwritten}(Two of these men were my brothers and one an uncle).{End handwritten}{End inserted text}
"Brother and Mrs. Newt. Crouch beautifully endowed the church with a sum of money amounting to $2,000.00, stipulating that the sum should remain a trust fund, the interest being spent under the direction of the {Begin page no. 8}Trustees in furthering the cause of the Reagan Methodist Church.
"The ministers following Rev. Cochran as pastors of the Reagan Church are as follows:
G. H. Phair---------I896-I896
J. W. Harmon--------I897-98-99
T. S. Williford-----I900
G. E. Collins-------I90I-02
S. F. Chambers------I903
J.W. Threadwell-----I904
A. A. Wagnon--------I905-06
A. T. Walker--------I907-08
T.M. Brownlee-------I909
J. W. Goodwin-------I9IO
Jesse Willis--------I9II
Weems Wooten--------I9I2
J.E. Payne----------I9I3
W. A. Craven--------I9I4-I5
O. F. Zimmerman-----I9I6-I7
T. C. Sharp---------I9I8-I9
D. S. Hotchkiss-----I920-2I
H. G. Ryan----------I922-I923
W. J. Brient--------I924-25
L. C. Lilly---------I926-27-28
C. T. Cummings------I928-29-30
S. H. Innis---------I931-32
W. G. Hughes--------I933-35
C. E. Hull----------I936
C. A. West----------I937
"Those who served as Sunday School superintendents since 1893 following Bro. C. Ward are J. M. Neal, H. E. Moore, R. L. Perdue, S. O. Love, H. E. Kelley, O. L. Moore, H. E. Moore, and W. H. Earles.
"Concluding a brief summary of the history of the Reagan Methodist Church, we find that it has served the purpose a true Church of God should serve; it has administered to the spiritual needs {Begin inserted text}{Begin handwritten}of{End handwritten}{End inserted text} an ever changing populance, been a bulwark for better educational facilities, a guarantor of freedom of worship, and a true messenger of the Gospel according as God Would have it do.
"It remains today a monument to a sturdy pioneer people who sacrificed and gave of their all that it might live; it has been handed down from generation to generation and each in turn has proved worthy of his heritage. It therefore remains to the present and coming generations to further outline the progress it shall make and may they like their forebearer's prove as worthy of the trust that will be entrusted to them."
End of Interview
Rev. and Mrs. Bates and daughter. Rev. Bates was Reagan Methodist Minister from November, 1940 to 1943.
�On a cold day in November 1940, with my wife and daughter, we moved to Reagan, Texas. The large, old and rambling parsonage (which we dearly loved to live in) was swept and garnished. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by neighbors and church members. In the three short years we were there, we soon learned to love and enjoy the warmth and fellowship of the community and church.
Some of the events that happened while we were there was the beginning of World War II and our involvement with marrying and accompanying soldiers (seeing them off to Army Camps). Also, one of the more personal things that happened to me was having the whooping cough at age 44.
At the time we moved to Reagan, the school was across the street from the parsonage. This was a great advantage to our then 9-year old daughter. She loved Reagan School better than any school she ever attended. When we were moved from Reagan to Rockdale, she refused to go register when school opened and my wife had to register for her.
We found a group of faithful and loyal folks at Reagan who were eager and ready to do what was needed for the church and community. We still have some of these as our friends in 1987.�
Rev. R. Burtis Bates
1108 Anchor
Madisonville, Texas 77864
Rev. and Mrs. Risinger.
Rev. Risinger was Reagan Methodist Minister from June 1947 to January of 1949.
�My wife, Grace, our two daughters, Roberta Louise (Bobbie Lou) and Elizabeth Grace (Betty) and I moved to Reagan in June 1947. We remember the beautiful church and the tall cedars and spire. We remember the lovely singing, especially the song �Whispering Hope.�
The most dramatic memory is the death of Betty on December 3, 1947. In our intense sorrow, the good people of Reagan and Bremond were very kind to us. We loved you all and also shared many mutual sorrows together.
We moved to Lexington in January 1949 just as the ice melted off the road. God bless you all.�
Lewis and Grace Risinger
10131 Whitebrook
Houston, Texas 77038
Phone 713-847-9770
Rev. and Mrs. Gail Williams.
Rev. Williams was the Reagan Methodist Minister from 1959 to 1961.
Rev. Gary Masterson and Family. Rev. Masterson , pastor from 1982 to 1987, organized the 115th year celebration of the Reagan Methodist Church during his last year at the church.
Reverend Paula Behrens
served Reagan UM Church from June 1999 - December 1999. Pastor Paula writes, "I have fond memories of the people at Reagan UMC and continue to pray for that congregation every morning."
Reverend Paula Behrens was followed by the Reverend Phyllis Carey (January 2000 - ?)
Long Time Church Members, Guy Turnipseed and Louie Matthews.
Thagard (T.K.) and Mary Kirkpatrick were both active members of the Reagan Methodist Church
Mary was a long time Sunday School Teacher
and Thagard was Sunday School Superintendent almost 60 years (1940-1999).
Sibyl Moorehead Burnett(long time Reagan Methodist Sunday School Teacher)
Reagan United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund
Brigadier General Travis Monroe Hetherington, a 1926 Reagan High School graduate and Methodist Church member established a special scholarship fund at the Reagan United Methodist Church for four-year scholarships for young women and men from Falls County to attend Texas A&M University and local community colleges. These scholarships enabled 150 young people to obtain higher educational degrees.
1926 Reagan High School Graduate, Travis Hetherington, Honored His Church with Scholarship Fund benefiting many.
CELEBRATING 115 YEARS OF HISTORY AT THE REAGAN METHODIST CHURCH
Sunday, May 10, 1987, was a beautiful day with clear skies and a mild spring temperature in the 80�s. The church bell was rung for 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the 10:30 a.m. worship service of celebration. Microphone and speakers were installed so that a crowd of 210 could hear the sermon and special music. The church was almost filled to capacity. Chairs were set up in the choir and hallway leading to the Sunday School rooms.
CELEBRATING 115 YEARS OF HISTORY AT THE REAGAN METHODIST CHURCH. THIS BUILDING WAS COMPLETED IN MARCH OF 1893 (Photo Taken 1987)
After the barbecue dinner, approximately 50 people went to the original church site at Shady Grove. A short service with hymns preceded the 15-balloon release at 2:30 p.m. Each balloon was tagged with a note to respond if found. The only response received was from Jennifer Hines of Rhome, Texas, at 8:00 p.m. on May 11, 1987. She was very excited about her finding.
The celebration ended just as it had started, with lots of hugs and kisses from old friends. Several wanted to know when we could get together again.
CELEBRATING 115 YEARS OF HISTORY
AT THE REAGAN METHODIST CHURCH.
THE CONGREGATION RELEASED BALLOONS
AT SHADY GROVE, THE ORIGINAL SITE OF THE CHURCH BACK IN 1872.
(Photo Taken 1987)
THAGARD KIRKPATRICK, AND MILTON TURNIPSEED'S SON,
DENNIS PLAY A DUET; IMOGENE TURNIPSEED BURTON
ON THE PIANO IN THE OLD METHODIST CHURCH
(Photo taken in 1987)
Chair and table Crew at 1987 Celebration
On March 15, 1953, a homecoming celebration was held to observe the 60th anniversary of the first service held in the present Reagan Methodist Church. Rev. James Kirby, Jr. was pastor; T.K. Kirkpatrick, Sunday School Superintendent; Z.A. Burke, Secretary and Treasurer; Mrs. Sybil Burnett, teacher of class #1; Mrs. Eula Young, class #2; Mrs. T.K. (Mary) Kirkpatrick, class #3; Mrs. E.R. (Octelia) Anderson, class #4, Mrs. R.L. Gregg, class #5; Mrs. Andrew (Mildred) Joyner, class #6. All officers and teachers were present. Scholars present 40, absent 10, visitors 6, total on roll 65; collection $11.09; subject of the lesson, �Why Be Alert�; opening song #310. Over 200 signed the register, but many failed to do so. For the occasion, dinner was served at the Reagan School Gymnasium, requiring 171 pounds of meat, 24 loaves of bread, salad, cake, pies, coffee, and tea. The ladies of the church had the thanks of the community for their splendid cooperation in the event. Those on the roll 60 years ago and still living in the community (1953) were Mrs. Clara Cabiness, Luther Ward, Mrs. Henry Ward, and Mrs. Z.A. (Leona) Burke.
Rev. C.A. West, a former pastor, preached the sermon, and Rev. Tom S. Holcomb, former pastor, gave the prayer. Rev. Koenig and Rev. Jack Adams were the other visiting pastors at the 1953 sixtieth homecoming celebration.
PHOTO OF REAGAN METHODIST CONGREGATION AT THE 1953 REUNION.
These ladies, present at the 1953 Reunion,
had attended the Reagan Church in 1893 when the
first services were held in the present church building.
Charter members Mrs. Babe Ward,
Mrs. Leona Burke, and Mrs. Dovie Jones
PHOTOS FROM THE 1953 CHURCH REUNION
L-R: Imogene Turnipseed,
Marilyn Scroggins,
Joy Ann Joyner, and Mrs. Mary Kirkpatrick
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L-R: Nadine McCollum, Pauline Turnipseed,
Mary Kirkpatrick, Leona Burke,
Helen Haley, and Mildred Joyner
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L-R: T.K. Kirkpatrick, Joe Haley,
Claude Mccollum, Pastor Rev. Phil Kirby,
and Z.A. Burke.
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L-R:Reagan Ministers, Rev. Joe Philbrick, Rev. J.W. Adams,
Rev. Tom Holcomb, Rev. Phil Kirby, and Rev. C.A. West
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60th ANNIVERSARY HOMECOMING CELEBRATION IN 1953
March 15, 1953
On March 15, 1953, a homecoming celebration was held to observe the 60th anniversary of the first service held in the present Reagan Methodist Church. Rev. James Kirby, Jr. was pastor; T.K. Kirkpatrick, Sunday School Superintendent; Z.A. Burke, Secretary and Treasurer; Mrs. Sybil Burnett, teacher of class #1; Mrs. Eula Young, class #2; Mrs. T.K. (Mary) Kirkpatrick, class #3; Mrs. E.R. (Octelia) Anderson, class #4, Mrs. R.L. Gregg, class #5; Mrs. Andrew (Mildred) Joyner, class #6. All officers and teachers were present. Scholars present 40, absent 10, visitors 6, total on roll 65; collection $11.09; subject of the lesson, �Why Be Alert�; opening song #310. Over 200 signed the register, but many failed to do so. For the occasion, dinner was served at the Reagan School Gymnasium, requiring 171 pounds of meat, 24 loaves of bread, salad, cake, pies, coffee, and tea. The ladies of the church had the thanks of the community for their splendid cooperation in the event. Those on the roll 60 years ago and still living in the community (1953) were Mrs. Clara Cabiness, Luther Ward, Mrs. Henry Ward, and Mrs. Z.A. (Leona) Burke.
Rev. C.A. West, a former pastor, preached the sermon, and Rev. Tom S. Holcomb, former pastor, gave the prayer. Rev. Koenig and Rev. Jack Adams were the other visiting pastors at the 1953 sixtieth homecoming celebration.
THOSE WHO REGISTERED AT THE 1953 HOMECOMING
Frances Turnipseed � Reagan
Geneva Williams � Kosse
Z.A. Burke � Reagan
Rev. & Mrs. J.P. Kirby, Jr. & Rebecca Ann � Reagan
Joy Ann Joyner � Reagan
Sally Scroggins � Reagan
Rosemary Scroggins � Reagan
Marilyn Scroggins � Reagan
Rev. & Mrs. T.S. Holcomb � Thorndale
Georgia Scroggins � Reagan
Mrs. Lige Anderson � Reagan
Mrs. Tempie Adams � Reagan
Wanda Joyner � Reagan
Mrs. Z.A. Burke � Reagan
Mr. & Mrs. L.E. Ellwood � Bryan
Rev. J.F. Adams � Corsicana
Mrs. Aleen Woodruff � Corsicana
Mr. and Mrs. W.A. � Waco
(can�t read last name)
Mrs. J.H. Matthews � Reagan
Mrs. Ruth Flowers Burke � Dallas
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Joyner � Reagan
Mr. & Mrs. Joe Haley � Reagan
E.W. Saxon � Reagan
Mrs. Pearl Short � Reagan
Glenda Turnipseed � Reagan
Mr. & Mrs. Guy Turnipseed � Reagan
Karen Kirkpatrick � Reagan
Jack Moore, Jr. � Reagan
Mrs. J.P. Kirby, Sr. � Shepherd, Texas
Martha Alice Matthews � Reagan
Judy Kay Matthews � Reagan
Donovan Kirkpatrick � Reagan
Mr. & Mrs. T.K. Kirkpatrick � Reagan
James Moore � Reagan
Herman Kirkpatrick � Reagan
Mrs. C.I. Matthews � Reagan
Mrs. Mike Short & Debbie
Mr. & Mrs. Gregg, William & Pat
Rev. & Mrs. C.A. West � Longview
Mrs. C.H. Pringle � Reagan
Malcorine Tacker � Reagan
Mary B. Robbins � Reagan
Eula Young � Reagan
Mr. & Mrs. Glaze
Mrs. R.H. Dees
R.J. Dees
Hez G. Johnson
Lamar B. Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Ed Kunkel
Mrs. Ed Stricklin � Houston
Newton Lloyd � Reagan
Robert Joyner � Reagan
Marcia Jo Kirkpatrick � Reagan
Mr. & Mrs. Elon Kirkpatrick � Reagan
Mrs. E.R. Boyles � Reagan
Mrs. Walter Allen, Jr. � Marlin
Ward Allen � Marlin
Mrs. Muriel Holcomb
Harold Lessman � Marlin
Mr. & Mrs. Claude McCollum � Reagan
Mr. & Mrs. Sam McClure � Dallas
Mrs. Horne Kirkpatrick � Reagan
Sandra Woodland � Marlin
Nancy Foster � Marlin
Mrs. A.G. Woodland � Marlin
Mrs. T.A. Robbins � Reagan
Mrs. T.A. Cook (Agnes Saxon) � Grand Prairie
Mrs. O.D. Gassett � Waco
T.A. Cook � Grand Prairie
Mrs. J.P. Saxon � Reagan
Charlie & Edna Tillery � Ft. Worth
Mrs. H.W. Ward & Harry � Reagan
Mr. & Mrs. John T. Canipe � Rosebud
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Parks � Rosebud
Mrs. Jim Robbins � Reagan
Imogene Turnipseed � Reagan
Betsy Sue Tacker � Reagan
Mrs. H.B. Farmer � Marlin
Bobby Singer � Marlin
Mrs. Clara Singer � Marlin
Mr. & Mrs. R.M. Loggins � Marlin
Patricia Scheihagen � Dallas
H.C. Scheihagen � Bryan
Mr. & Mrs. R.L. Allen & Margaret � Rockdale
Mrs. Warren Allen � Marlin
J.F. Allen � Marlin
Mrs. H.W. Lewis � Kosse
Wayne Allen � Bryan
Buster Moore � Dallas
Mr. & Mrs. W. Everett Burks
& Phillip, John and Andrew � Garland
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Winzer � Reagan
Billy Pearson � Reagan
Charles Kindred � Reagan
Fred Pearson � Reagan
Mrs. Sprott � Reagan
Glenda McCaleb � Reagan
Jack Kirkpatrick � Reagan
Betty Kirkpatrick � Reagan
Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Kirkpatrick � Reagan
Rev. & Mrs. Joe Philbrick and Jr. � Reagan
Ann Stricklin � Reagan
Kathryn Stricklin � Reagan
Mrs. Janie Morris
Mrs. Clark Morris � Reagan
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Kelly & children � Reagan
C.H. Barclay
J.M. Wilson � Marlin
Mrs. C.H. Barclay � Marlin
Lucille Rogers Wilson (Mrs. J.M. Wilson) � Marlin
Mr. & Mrs. O.L. Moore � Reagan
Hela Mae Watts � Reagan
Mr. & Mrs. S.Y. Cole � Reagan
Mrs. J.C. Leggutt � Port Arthur
Jim Turner � Bremond
Mrs. Sibyl Burnett � Reagan
Horne Kirkpatrick � Reagan
Mrs. Charlie Short � Reagan
Mrs. J.W. Howell � Reagan
Mrs. M.K. Alston � Reagan
Mrs. W.H. Harrison � Reagan
Mrs. Wayne Allen � Bryan
Mr. & Mrs. David Lloyd � Kosse
J.V. & Edna Scroggins � Reagan
Rev. & Mrs. H.W. Koenig � Kosse
Jack Crawford
Alston Jones
Harrison Burke � Reagan
Burke Kirkpatrick � Marlin
Edward Lloyd � Kosse
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Moore, Sr. � Reagan
Betty Ann Moore � Reagan
Jean Lloyd � Kosse
Mr. & Mrs. W.A. Price � Stranger
Ronnie Allen � Bryan
Jimmie Allen � Bryan
Butch Allen � Bryan
Mrs. Walter Price
Jamie Scroggins � Reagan
Mack Joyner � Reagan
Mrs. Dovie Jones � Reaganv
Mrs. Stallworth
Milton Turnipseed � Reagan
Ira Buell � Reagan
Ed Tacker � Reagan
Reagan Methodist Sunday School Children in 1956
PHOTO OF REAGAN METHODIST CONGREGATION TAKEN IN 1954 (Curtesy Norman Short): Some of the folks in this photo include: Claude Mc Collum (rear left),
Joe Hailey (left side grey suit),
Bob Lee Matthews, Bill Mathews, Louie Matthews, Virginia Matthews, Herman Kirkpatrick,Pete Saxon, Guy Turnipseed, Imogene, Glenda, Francis, Milton and Mrs. Pauline Turnipseed, Nadine McCollum, Helen Haily, Mr and Mrs Joyner, Robert Joyner, Joy Ann Joyner, Wanda Joyner, Mack Joyner, Marilyn, Georgia and Sallie Scroggins, Jimmie Mathews, Butch Allen, Ronnie Allen, Octavia Allen, Lige and Octilia Anderson, Otho Moore, Mrs Addie Matthews, Mrs Beaulah Matthews and another Matthews lady who lived in the Metodist parsonage at a later date. Thagard and Mary Kirkpatrick, Karen and Donovan. Marcy and Marge and Elon Kirkpatrick, R. J. Dees, Mrs Dees (his mother), Zeb Burke, Mrs Leona Burke, Mr Charlie Pringle, Harry Ward. Benny Morris is on the left in the plaid shirt. Herman Kirkpatrick is on the far right.Milton Turnipseed is 5th and Frances Turnipseed is 6th from the right.
Front row(L-R):Jimmy Matthews, Wesley Bulman, Terry Matthews, and Bobby Matthews; behind Bobby is Judy
Matthews, then Sally
Scroggins. Behind Benny Morris is Joe Haley.
Sunday School Graduation Certificate for George Macdonald issued in September of 1939. W.H. Earls signed as Superintendent, Mrs. H.E. Moore was the Department Superintendent and C.A. West was the minister.
The following information from the 1987 Reagan Methodist Church history book was provided by Milton Turnipseed. Milton and his sister, Imogene, served as chairpersons for the 115th Anniversary Celebration and spent long hours putting the history book together.
Our special thanks to Milton for making this historic information available on our Reagan webpage!
115th ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEES
REAGAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1987
Chairpersons
Milton Turnipseed
Imogene Turnipseed Burton
Program and Worship
Rev. Gary Masterson
Mary Kirkpatrick
Dinner
Bob and Bill Matthews
Louie and Virginia Matthews
Cookbook
Imogene Turnipseed Burton
History Book
Milton Turnipseed
Peggy Turnipseed
Imogene Turnipseed Burton
Treasurer
R.J. Dees
Historical Display
Thagard Kirkpatrick
Mary Kirkpatrick
Ruth Davison
Publicity
Mary Kirkpatrick
Mildred Joyner
Pauline Turnipseed
Mary Lou Dees
Shady Grove Service
Mack Joyner
Brenda Joyner
Bob Matthews
Other Committee Member
Malcorine Tacker Drosche
IN THE BEGINNING � A CHURCH AT SHADY GROVE
1872-1883
In 1872, Reagan�s Methodist Church began, through the efforts of Rev. Theodore Gillette, a preacher living at that time in Bee County, Texas. The founding of a church at Reagan was the result of a visit made by Rev. Gillette to his sister, Mrs. H. F. Johnson. While visiting, he talked with several of the Methodist families then living in or near Reagan. They decided to establish a church to serve this community and that it would be located at a site that would later become widely known as Shady Grove, located three and one half miles east of the present town of Reagan. Services would be held there for ten years.
The first pastor of the newly founded church was Rev. Howell Taylor in the year of 1872. He was followed in turn by J.J. Davis in 1873 and W.T. Melugin 1874-1875, Frank Compton in 1876, S.S. Scott in 1877, M.M. Glass in 1878, B.V. Gassaway in 1879-1880, J.P. Mussett in 1881, C.S. Weaver in 1882, and H.T. Hart in 1883.
A CHURCH AT REAGAN
1883-1893
It was during the ministry of Rev. Hart that the trustees of the church at Shady Grove, led by Uncle Newt Crouch (Great Grandfather of Louie and Bob Matthews, current members of the church), Chairman of the Board, D.B. Reilly, Thomas Garrett, and James Taylor purchased three lots in the town of Reagan in August 1883 from the Houston and Texas Central Railway Company for $140.00 (lots 6, 7, and 9 in section 3). This deed is recorded in Vol. X, page 117, in 1883 in the Falls County Courthouse.
Another lot on which the church was built (lot 8) was given by the Railroad. This donation was recorded in Vol. X, Page 121, in 1883. The church was known as the M.E. Church South. On the three lots purchased, $35 was paid in the beginning, $52.50 payment in January 1885, and final payment of $52.50 paid in February 1886. The land was financed at 8% interest per annum.
This church was built under contract by W.A. McClarty of Wooten Wells, Texas, and was painted by Charlie Elgin, a resident of Reagan at that time. This led to the abandonment of the Shady Grove site, but that location was used for several years afterward as the place of many famous camp meetings which were popular at that time.
The pastor at the time the church was built in Reagan was Rev. T.F. Demmitt who came to Reagan in 1884 and stayed as pastor for three years. He was followed by F.L. Allen in 1887, G.C. Stovall in 1888, W. Wooten in 1889, O.T. Hotchkiss in 1890, J.M. Armstrong in 1891, J.B. Cochran in 1982, 1893, and 1894.
The Sunday School was immediately organized in the new church with Bro. Jim Hayes as first Superintendent. Bro. Hayes was followed in this office successively by H.A. Carlton and Bro. C. Ward.
On September 17, 1892, two small boys, one a white boy by the name of Carpenter and the other a Negro boy by the name of Dan Channey, upon finding a nest of pigeon eggs decided to have a feast. They went into the church, got a can of kerosene oil kept in the building as fuel for lights and to build fires in the stove, and poured the oil on the floor and started a fire for their eggs. The result was the loss of the Carpenter boy�s dog, the feast of pigeon eggs, and a church building on which there was no insurance.
THE 1893 SUNDAY SCHOOL ROLL
Calvin Adams
Tom Adams
Fannie Adams
Pleas Anderson
R.P.O. Adams
Mrs. Julia Anderson
Eliza Anderson
Miss Nellie Barnes
Miss Lula Barnes
Quincy Barnes
Eugenia Barnes
Martha Barnes
Mayble Cabaniss
Tobe Cabaniss
Travis Cabaniss
Lottie Cabaniss
Frank Cabaniss
H.A. Carlton
Mrs. Frank Carlton
Everett Clark
Mrs. M.E. Crouch
I.N. Crouch
Will Crouch
Hugh Crouch
Hugh Crouch
John Crouch
Isaac Crouch
Mrs. Susan Crouch
Charlie Crouch
Ellison Davis
Clara DeWalt
Retie DeWalt
Henry Frazier
Alace Harper
T.P. Harper
Mrs. Lee Herring
Fannie Johnson
Hezzie Johnson
Leona Johnson
Lillie Johnson
Miss Malda Johnson
Broughton Johnson
Neomia Johnson
Cordelia Johnson
Bessie Johnson
Oscar Jones
Jess Keeling
H.A. Keeling
George Keeling
Thomas Keeling
Fred Keeling
Dovie Marlin
Henry Miles
Mark Miles
Seth Miles
Tulia Moncrief
Nannie Moncrief
Neomia Moncrief
Will Moncrief
Wallace Moore
J.S. Newton
Lillie Pruitt
Mattie Pruitt
MissSamuella Richardson
Bertie Richardson
Mrs. Betty Rogers
Grace Rogers
Mirth Rogers
Alford Rogers
Ira Rogers
Lee Rogers
Pearl Rogers
Frank Rogers
Miss Leona Robertson
Sam Robertson
Mamie Robertson
Lida Robertson
Theo. Scheihagen
Roswell Scheihage
Goldie Scheihagen
Evie Scheihagen
Mamie Scheihagen
W.H.C. Scheihagen
Frankie Waite
Aubry Waite
J.P. Waite
Tom Waite
Archie Walkerv
Henry Ward
Bessie Ward
C. Ward
Charlie Ward
Lelia Ward
Luther Ward
David Ward
Hamp Ward
Mrs. Fannie Ward
Maggie Ward
Malda Ward
Lacy Ward
A NEW CHURCH IN TOWN
1893-1987
The pastor at the time of the fire in 1892 was Rev. J.B. Cochran and work of raising funds to build a new church was immediately started. The pastor made a list of the membership of the church and assessed each member his part to meet the expenses of the new building. It is recorded that every member responded to the assessment, many at considerable sacrifice to themselves. They paid their part toward the new church. It is related that Bro. M.W. Cabiness sold his fine saddle horse to raise his part and that Bro. A.M. Anderson sold one of his best mules to meet his assessment. There were doubtless other cases where extreme sacrifices were made to raise the amount needed.
The new church, built to replace the burned one, was located at the present site. The land was purchased from �Grandma� Tennessee Rogers and other relatives at a cost of $140.00. In years past, it was believed that she donated the land to the church. According to the Falls County deed records in Volume 14, page 98, the land was actually deeded to the Reagan Methodist Episcopal Church South on
February 28, 1893. The deed was recorded on March 1, 1893, in Reagan by D.H. Boyles, Justice of the Peace and Ex. Off. Notary Public of Falls County, Texas. The church building was erected there and it is the same building that is standing today, 1987, ninety-four years later. Tennessee Rogers died in 1920 and is buried in the Rogers Cemetery, a small cemetery in a pasture about 300 yards north of the church. Her husband, N.F. Rogers, died in 1878.
The first service was held in the new building on March 12, 1893. On this date, Sunday School was conducted by the Superintendent C. Ward. All officers were present and all teachers were present with the exception of Isaac Crouch, teacher of class number two.
The first officials of the church were as follows: Rev. J.B. Cochran, Pastor in charge; Bro. C. Ward, Superintendent of the Sunday School and Steward; N.A. Carlton, Librarian; I.N. Crouch, R.P.O. Adams, W.H.C. Scheihagen, Henry W. Ward, J.T. Pruett, S.H. Robertson, and A.M. Anderson, Stewards. The Trustees of the church property were I.N. Crouch, R.P.O. Adams, and T.J. Pruett. The following were teachers of the Sunday School classes: W.H.C. Scheihagen, Mrs. Bettie Rogers, Isaac Crouch, Mrs. M.C. Crouch, Mrs. Frank Carlton, and Mrs. Julia Anderson. At the first Sunday School service, the subject of the lesson was Esther Before the King, the scripture lesson from Ester was Chapter 4, verses 10-17 and Chapter 5, verses 1-3. The offering on this first Sunday was $1.55.
On the Sunday School roll at the time of this first service and still active at the Homecoming in March 1938 were the following: Mrs. H.W. Ward, Mrs. E.R. Boyles, Mrs. Leona Burke, Mrs. A.M. Anderson, Mr. Dave Ward, and Mr. Luther Ward.
There�s an interesting story related in connection with the hanging of the bell in the tower. It was hung by Mr. Cabiness, Mr. DeWalt, Tom Rogers, Isaac Crouch, and Rev. Cochran, the Pastor. In hanging the bell, this group closed themselves, unknowingly, inside the steeple and were forced to crawl through the latticework to reach the ground. When the bell had been hung, Rev. Cochran asked that whoever of the group that was living when he died should toll the bell in his memory. The only living member of the group to survive him was M.W. Cabiness, but he did not hear of Rev. Cochran�s death for sometime afterward; thus was not able to carry out his wish.
At the time the church was built, the charge included Bremond and Wooten Wells with 369 members during the year of 1893, with 24 added on profession of faith, 7 by certificate, and 13 were removed by death and otherwise. Seventeen infants were baptized and 9 adults were added this first year. The budget included: pastor�s salary-$700, presiding elder-$100, Bishop-$13.75, conference collection-$56, foreign missions-$87.50, education-$21, delegate to annual conference-$8, district parsonage-$12, and for printing of conference minutes-$5 --- a total budget for the year of $1,083.10.
This beautiful 94 year old church stands today (1987) as a reminder of the past and of its many dedicated and faithful members and pastors who have come and gone over the years. Members at the present time take much pride and joy in this sanctuary. Their dedication and faithfulness is as much alive today as were those in the past. Improvements are always being made to keep the old building in good shape physically as well as spiritually. In recent years, the church has added white vinyl siding to the outside, because having it painted when needed has become very expensive. The bell tower or steeple has been braced so strongly �it will stand up forever.� The bell is still in the steeple and rings out, on occasion, for all of Reagan to hear.
Members and visitors still enjoy the beautiful stained glass windows, especially when the Sunday morning sun shines through. Especially pretty are the two windows at the front of the church in honor of M.E. Crouch and I.N. Crouch put there when the church was built.
In 1950, new double doors were put at the entrance in memory of a member, Janie Matthews Danford, who died in 1949. She was a descendant of I.N. Crouch.
The lighted cross, behind the pulpit, was given by Rev. Tommy Holcomb in 1952 as his farewell gift to the church.
The church remains today as a monument to the sturdy pioneer people who sacrificed and gave of their all that it might live. It has been handed down from generation to generation and each in turn has been worthy of its heritage. May God bless this church and the influence it has had on the many lives that have passed its
way. May its memory live in our hearts.
HOMECOMING CELEBRATION
March 13, 1938
The forty-fifth anniversary of the first service held in the present church building was celebrated in a homecoming day service Sunday, March 13, 1938. A program to commemorate the day started with a short Sunday School session at 10:00 o�clock, followed by the congregation singing �Come Thou Fount.� Bro. C. Ward led the prayer. The program was as follows:
Love Feast conducted by Rev. A.A. Wagnon, Pastor in 1905-1906
Welcome Address by Howard E. Moore, Charge Lay Leader
Special Music � �Just for Today� by Mrs. N.H. Melbert
Historical Review of Reagan Methodist Church, Henry E. Kelly
Singing by the congregation, �How Firm a Foundation�
Prayer by Rev. C.T. Cummings
Notices
The Morning Offering
Music � Mrs. Thagard (Mary) Kirkpatrick, Burke Kirkpatrick, and
Thagard Kirkpatrick
Scripture Reading � Psalms 103:1-14
Sermon � Rev. C.T. Cummings
Benediction � Rev. J.D. Barnes (Reagan Baptist Pastor)
A noon dinner was served for the congregation in the Reagan School Gymnasium, prepared by the ladies of the church. Afternoon services:
Hymn
Prayer � Rev. W.A. Craven, Pastor at Reagan in 1915
Recognition of Visitors, Charter Members, Other Members, etc.
Memories of other days, a period of brief reminisces conducted by
Rev. J.W. Goodwin, Pastor in 1909.
Reading � Miss Evie Jo Graves
Music � Professor R.C. Davis and Sanford Handcock
Address by Former Pastors Present
Closing Hymn � �God Be With You�
Benediction � W.H. Earls (Sunday School Superintendent)
Serving on the homecoming committee and largely responsible for the day�s success were: Mr. Howard Moore, Mrs. Dave Ward, Mr. W.H. Earls, Miss Gloria Matthews, and Mr. and Mrs. Thagard Kirkpatrick. Registration books indicated an attendance of 400 people at the services with people from Waco, Houston, San Antonio, Port Arthur, and many other towns. Two of the charter members of the original organization of the church in 1872 were present � Mr. M.W. Cabiness and Mr. Obe Adams.
MEMBERS PRESENT AT THE 1938 HOMECOMING
Mrs. E.R. Boyles
Clifford Brooks
Mrs. Z. A. Burke
Ira Buell
Mr. Manse W. Cabiness
Mrs. M.W. Cabiness
W.I. Clawson
Mrs. Ed Crunkle
Mrs. Ishmael Danford
Mildred Davis
R.J. Dees
Mrs. R.H. Dees
R.H. Dees
W.H. Earls
Mattie Lou Earls
Mrs. W.H. Earls
Miss Harris
Mrs. Harris
Mrs. Sam Hetherington
Mrs. Houston
Mrs. C.C. Kelly
Henry E. Kelly
Mrs. T.K. Kirkpatrick
Julius A. Kirkpatrick
Gloria Matthews
Mrs. Lee Matthews
Claude McCollum
Henry Moore
Mrs. Howard E. Moore
Elmo Moore
Jack Moore
Mildred Moore
Irene Moore
Mrs. H.E. Moore
Charles L. Robertson
Mrs. C.L. Robertson
Will B. Saxon
John P. Saxon
Wesley Shaunfield
Sally Shaunfield
Miss Short
Mrs. H.W. Ward
Luther Ward
Dave Ward
Mrs. Dave Ward
Frances Ward
C.A. West
Mrs. C. A. West
Will Winzer, Jr.
COMMENTS FROM FORMER PASTORS
�On a cold day in November 1940, with my wife and daughter, we moved to Reagan, Texas. The large, old and rambling parsonage (which we dearly loved to live in) was swept and garnished. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by neighbors and church members. In the three short years we were there, we soon learned to love and enjoy the warmth and fellowship of the community and church.
Some of the events that happened while we were there was the beginning of World War II and our involvement with marrying and accompanying soldiers (seeing them off to Army Camps). Also, one of the more personal things that happened to me was having the whooping cough at age 44.
At the time we moved to Reagan, the school was across the street from the parsonage. This was a great advantage to our then 9-year old daughter. She loved Reagan School better than any school she ever attended. When we were moved from Reagan to Rockdale, she refused to go register when school opened and my wife had to register for her.
We found a group of faithful and loyal folks at Reagan who were eager and ready to do what was needed for the church and community. We still have some of these as our friends in 1987.�
Rev. R. Burtis Bates
1108 Anchor
Madisonville, Texas 77864
�My wife, Grace, our two daughters, Roberta Louise (Bobbie Lou) and Elizabeth Grace (Betty) and I moved to Reagan in June 1947. We remember the beautiful church and the tall cedars and spire. We remember the lovely singing, especially the song �Whispering Hope.�
The most dramatic memory is the death of Betty on December 3, 1947. In our intense sorrow, the good people of Reagan and Bremond were very kind to us. We loved you all and also shared many mutual sorrows together.
We moved to Lexington in January 1949 just as the ice melted off the road. God bless you all.�
Lewis and Grace Risinger
10131 Whitebrook
Houston, Texas 77038
Phone 713-847-9770
REMEMBRANCES
�I remember walking from the community of Tarbox, 3 miles south of Reagan, to Epworth League. On the way home, we would stop by the Negro church, peep in the windows, and watch their service.�
Louie Matthews
�I was told by Bro. C.A. West that M.W. Cabiness went to the foundry where the church bell was poured and while standing there threw in a quarter to be melted into the bell.
In previous years, curtains were used to divide the Sunday School classes instead of the present walls. One Sunday morning there was a fire during Sunday School which burned the curtains. Being frantic, Mrs. Leona Burke ran down the church aisle calling W.Z., W.Z.! (her son).�
Thagard Kirkpatrick
�I distinctly remember (during the fifties) Mr. Zeb Burke, our Sunday School secretary, when asked for the secretary�s report, would give the temperature at 9 o�clock that Sunday morning, the number of cars present for Sunday School, teachers present and absent, and the order they had arrived at Sunday School. At the end of every three months, he would name those who had perfect attendance during that time. We all smiled at each other as our names were called. The Turnipseed family many times had all six of our names called.
Christmas was special and we looked forward to the night we would all (young and old) get in cars and drive around to shut-ins and old people, get out of the cars and do our caroling. What fun! Some listeners would bring out a plate of goodies for us to eat, Mrs. Marian Rees being one of those. At Christmas, Mildred Joyner, with the help of others, would fix up �white boxes� (show boxes covered with white tissue paper) with fruit and candy to take the shut-ins.�
Imogene Turnipseed Burton
�Our Woman�s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) in the 1950�s was very active. I was president and the members were Octelia Anderson, Leona Burke, Buelah Matthews, Mrs. Henry Bulman, Nadine McCollum, Addie Matthews, Mamie Matthews, Mrs. Fred Dibble, Pearl Short, and Jimmie Dees. We have about eight ladies who would go together once a month to the Zone meetings held around the district. They told us that according to our membership we had the largest group to attend the Zone meetings regularly.�
Helen Moore Haley
�A neighbor of ours, Mr. DeWalt, helped hang the bell � I heard Mama and them talk about it � The old log house that used to be behind the church, well they say that Guy Guffee�s parents lived in that thing a long time ago and they made tin plates for the Civil War.
I found our class song (school song) in the old church song book when I graduated from Reagan in 1922. We had 11 or 12 in our graduating class, and guess we had about 150 in the school.
At the church, we generally had a tall Christmas tree that nearly reached to the top of the ceiling, and had a big wood potbellied stove in there. We strung popcorn and red berries on the tree, and had stick candy. We had Epworth League and that�s where I remember the shortest verse in the Bible. We were up there in the choir part of the building and the lady was having us quote verses out of the Bible, and Clay Ward was sitting behind me and he jumped up and said �Jesus wept� and sat back down. I pushed him and said �say the rest of it.� �That�s all it is � that�s the shortest verse in the Bible.� He talked fast. Clay was just a little older than me. (I was born in 1903.) Clay�s dad was Ben F. Ward � We used to come over to church in a wagon at Christmas time and go back home through the Fish Creek bottom down there and foxfire fool�s gold would be on the wheels and stick to them, and would look like a sparkler. (Foxfire fool�s gold is some kind of fertilizer in leaves and marsh.)
Well, I can tell this story and it wouldn�t be bad � We had a revival meeting going on, and he was holding us pretty late. Us young folks was sitting back there on the bench and we got to watching Bill Anderson, (cousin to Lige Anderson) who was nodding (going to sleep), and after a while he fell the length of his body (and he was long and tall) down that aisle and I mean he hit. Bill got up on all fours, looked around and said, �I�ve got to get out of this.� The preacher said, �Well, I know I was preaching hellfire and brimstone but I didn�t intend to knock you off the bench, brother.� That nearly broke up the meeting. (I was about twelve or fourteen years old.) Mrs. Fannie Johnson (Lawrence Cobb�s mother) was the first Sunday School teacher I can remember. Mrs. Beulah Matthews was always real good about memorizing things.
After I was in business after World War II, Mrs. Octelia Anderson said to me, �Ernest, I�ve arranged those bouquets up there; we are going to have a special day today. You sit here at the back and tell me if I have them turned right. I know you can see good and I don�t see too good and you used to be a mighty good little boy and I hope you are still all right. You help me with it.� I did. That was a long time ago, and I was grown then.�
Ernest W. (Pete) Saxon
Pete Saxon out beside his store on HW 6.
�In the early fifties, Mildred Joyner and I taught the two youngest classes in Sunday School. At Easter time, we would have an Easter egg hunt at the church for them. Afterwards, we would take them to J.V. Scroggins� store for ice cream. This was a real treat for them.�
Pauline Turnipseed
�I remember a long time ago the whole church would go down to Mr. Thagard�s pasture near the Little Brazos River for a weiner roast. A big bonfire was built with the brush he had piled up. A good time was had by all.�
Guy Turnipseed
�The most important thing that I remember about the Reagan Methodist Church is that it is truly God�s House. I have visited many churches all over the world and it seems to be that if one wants to experience a closeness with God, this is the place to come.�
Donovan Kirkpatrick
�I remember riding to church on Sunday mornings with Mrs. Octelia Anderson. Mother was sick a lot and Daddy didn�t attend church then. In the late forties, �Miss� Mary played the piano as I gave musical readings some Sunday mornings. Mr. Thagard always backed me as I said these readings and he became like a father to me. He and �Miss� Mary had a great influence on my life.�
Shirley Danford Radle
PASTORS OF THE REAGAN METHODIST CHURCH
1872 � 2004
Howell Taylor 1872
J.J. Davis 1873
W.T. Melugin 1874
Frank Compton 1876
S.S. Scott 1877
M.M. Glass 1878
B.F. Gasseway 1879
J.P. Musset 1881
C.S. Weaver 1882
H.T. Hart 1883
T.F. Demmitt 1884
F.L. Allen 1887
G.C. Stovall 1888
W. Wooten 1889
O.T. Hotchiss 1890
J.M. Armstrong 1891
J.B. Cochran 1892-94
G.H. Fhair 1895-96
J.W. Harmen 1897-99
T.S. Williford 1900
C.H. Collins 1901-02
S.F. Chambers 1903
J.W. Treadwell 1904
A.A. Wagnon 1905-06
A.T. Walker 1907-08
T.M. Brownlee 1909
J.W. Goodwin 1910
Jesse Willis 1911
Weems Wooten 1912
J.E. Payne 1913
W.A. Craven 1914-15
O.F. Zimmerman 1916-17
T.C. Sharp 1918-19
D.S. Hotchiss 1920-21
H.G. Ryan 1922-23
W.J. Brient 1924-25
L.C. Lilly 1926-29 Half time with Bremond
C.T. Cummings 1928-30 Half time with Bremond
S.H. Ennis 1931-32
C.E. Hull 1933
W.C. Hughes 1934-36
C.A. West 1937-38 Full time except fifth Sunday with Stranger and one Saturday night with Alto Springs
L.B. Owens 1939
R. Burtis Bates 1940-43
James Heflin 1944-45 Half time with Bremond
E.S. Brawner 1946 Resigned some time during the year because of heart trouble and the Methodist pastor from
Marlin finished out the year
J.F. Everett 1946-47
Lewis Risinger 1947-Jan. 1949
Tommy Holcomb 1949-52
James P. Kirby, Jr. 1952-54
John Chaney 1954-56
Gene Smith 1956-57
Fred Dibble 1957-59
United with Kosse Charge
Gail Williams 1959-61
Vernon Fincher 1961-62
Clyde Shoemaker 1962-65
Roddy Bland 1965-69
Jed Hampton 1969-70
Herschel Mills 1970-71
Norman Campbell 1971-72
Terry Tekyl 1972-79
Michael Proctor 1979-81
Harold Gardner 1981-82
Robert Morgan 1982 Moved in October
Gary Masterson 1982-87
Thomas Edwards 1987-89
Jerry House 1989 June
Tom Teekell 1992 June
Pam Beeler 1996 March
Paula Behrens
Phyllis Carey 1997-2002
Phil Worley 2002-present (2004)
THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AS SUNDAY SHOOL
SUPERINTENDENTS SINCE 1883
Jim Hayes
H.A. Carlton
C. Ward
J.M. Neal
Howard E. Moore
Raymond L. Perdue
S.O. Love
Henry E. Kelly
Otho L. Moore, Sr.
Howard E. Moore
William H. Earls
Thagard K. Kirkpatrick � 1940-1999
ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP ROLL � 1987
Algie Breed
Ora Breed
Ray Bryant
Mable Bryant
Inez Clawson
Dick Cogham
Betsy Cogham
Ruth Davison
Jerry Davis
Margaret Davis
R.J. Dees
Mary Lou Dees
Darla Drosche
Malcorine Drosche
Gene Drosche
Calvin Haley
Cleo Haley
Helen Haley
David Johnson
Kim Johnson
Mack Joyner
Brenda Joyner
Tim Joyner
Melissa Joyner
Michael Joyner
Mildred Joyner
T.K. Kirkpatrick
Mary Kirkpatrick
Bob Matthews
Bill Matthews
Louie Matthews
Virginia Matthews
Jack Moore
Pearl Moore
Elaine Tacker
Ed Tacker
Wanda Tacker
Evon Taker
Guy Turnipseed
Pauline Turnipseed
Phillip Weathers
Sandra Weathers
Phillip C. Weathers
Aaron Weathers
Ava Lyn Weathers
Charles L. Young
Wayne Young
Leola Young
Darren Young
Catherine Young
OFFICIALS OF THE REAGAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
FOR THE 1987 YEAR
Pastor:
Gary Masterson
Pianist:
Mary Kirkpatrick
Song Leader:
Louis Matthews
Chairperson of the Administrative Council:
T.K. Kirkpatrick
Lay Leader:
T.K. Kirkpatrick
Layperson to the Annual Conference:
R.J. Dees
Treasurer:
R.J. Dees
Education:
Wanda Tacker
Intern Committee:
Mack Joyner and Brenda Joyner
Nurture Committee:
Mary Kirkpatrick, Ora Breed, Betsy Coghan,
Cleo Haley, Bill Matthews, Virginia Matthews
Outreach Committee:
Bill Matthews, Brenda Joyner, Mal Drosche,
Mary Lou Dees, Leola Young, Jerry Davis, and
Margaret Davis
Trustees:
�87 Mack Joyner and Bob Matthews
�88 Louis Matthews and Algie Breed
�89 Wayne Young and R.J. Dees
Pastor-Parish Relations Committee:
�87 Inez Clawson and Mary Lou Dees
�88 Wanda Tacker and Brenda Joyner
�89 Leola Young and Louie Matthews
Committee on Nominations and Personnel:
�87 Ruth Davison and Mary Kirkpatrick
�88 Brenda Joyner and Mack Joyner
THE 1987 BUDGET ESTIMATE
Pastor�s Salary 1400.00
Pastor�s Travel 1000.00
Church Utilities 450.00
Church Insurance 300.00
Janitor 150.00
Sunday School Supplies 180.00
Apportionments (Conference) 1611.00
Apportionments (District 199.00
Miscellaneous 200.00
Grand Total 5490.00
WRAP-UP
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HOMECOMING
May 10, 1987
Sunday, May 10, 1987, was a beautiful day with clear skies and a mild spring temperature in the 80�s. The church bell was rung for 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the 10:30 a.m. worship service of celebration. Microphone and speakers were installed so that a crowd of 210 could hear the sermon and special music. The church was almost filled to capacity. Chairs were set up in the choir and hallway leading to the Sunday School rooms.
After the barbecue dinner, approximately 50 people went to the original church site at Shady Grove. A short service with hymns preceded the 15-balloon release at 2:30 p.m. Each balloon was tagged with a note to respond if found. The only response received was from Jennifer Hines of Rhome, Texas, at 8:00 p.m. on May 11, 1987. She was very excited about her finding.
The celebration ended just as it had started, with lots of hugs and kisses from old friends. Several wanted to know when we could get together again.
Received the following email from Jeff Darby,
1515 N. 26th St.,
Nederland, Texas 77627. Phone
(409) 724-7339, email
darby5@sbcglobal.net
My paternal grandmother, Leona Elizabeth Joyner, was born in Reagan on December 7, 1907 to Henry Looney Joyner and Maggie N. Ward Flowers Joyner. She had three older half-sisters (Johnnie, Mary, and Ruth Flowers) and one older half-brother (Leslie Flowers). Maggie's first husband, Everett Robert Flowers, died in 1903. Maggie and Henry married in Reagan on November 17, 1904. Leona had three younger brothers (Andrew, Lacy, and Charles). All her siblings and their spouses are now deceased.
Leona married Paul Darby (born August 16, 1905 in Leonville, Louisiana, died May 30, 1984 in Nederland, Texas) in Orange, Texas on December 14, 1925. To this union were born Beulah Floy Darby (born September 11, 1926 in Port Arthur, married Charles V. Hollier, Jr. in 1955 in Port Arthur, no children, died December 20, 2002 in Groves, Texas) and Ronald Henry Darby (born March 28, 1936 in Port Arthur, married Lynda Lee Latiolais on February 14, 1964 in Port Arthur). Ron Darby is my father. He still lives in Nederland, Texas.
Leona died December 20, 2002 in Groves, Texas at age 95, only eight hours before the death of her daughter Beulah "Bee" Hollier. We had a double funeral for them on December 23, 2002. They are buried at Oak Bluff Cemetery in Port Neches just a few feet apart and just a short distance from my mother.
I was born August 20, 1966 in Port Arthur. My sister, Jill Ellen Darby, was born May 6, 1968 in Port Arthur. She has two children and I have three.
I believe Les Flowers lived in Port Arthur for most of his life. He was a real estate agent.
My great-grandparents, Henry and Maggie Joyner, lived in Port Arthur from about 1918 to 1932 while Henry worked at one of the oil refineries. Henry's father, Jonathan A. Joyner, died in Port Arthur in January 1932 and is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Groves, Texas. His marker shows he was in Moses' Squadron of the Alabama Cavalry during the Civil War. I believe Henry and Maggie returned to Reagan shortly thereafter where Henry farmed. They are both buried in Waite Cemetery. Leona and Paul lived in the Port Arthur area for most of their married lives. Paul was a pipefitter at Gulf Oil Refinery in Port Arthur.
Maggie Ward Joyner's father, Gilbert N. Ward, was a significant landowner in the Reagan area. He died in 1890. Gilbert's wife, Elizabeth McKenzie Ward, died shortly after giving birth to Maggie in 1877. To my knowledge, Gilbert was in the Fifth Texas Cavalry during the entire Civil War.
I would like any information concerning the Joyner, Ward, and McKenzie families. I do not know the last name of my great-grandfather Henry Joyner's mother. According to the census records, her first name was Sarah. My grandmother, Leona Darby, told me that after her mother died in 1958, her old house in Reagan (specifically Tarbox) burned and many family heirlooms (including the Bible) were lost. I believe that the children of her brother Andrew Joyner and Mildred Herridge Joyner (Robert, Wanda, Joy, and Mack) live in Austin, Waco and Reagan.
To my knowledge, all of these families were members of the Reagan Methodist Church. My grandmother was a member of that church and many other Methodist churches during her life in Port Arthur, Woodville, Beaumont, and Nederland. For the last 35 or so years of her life, she was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Nederland. Wesley was one of the many churches damaged or destroyed in the Golden Triangle during Hurricane Rita on September 24, 2005. They had to tear down the main church building and are meeting in the Family Life Center pending rebuilding of the main building. I'm glad Grandma was not around to see that as it would have broken her heart.
Again, thanks for all the information.
Jeff Darby
1515 N. 26th St.
Nederland, Texas 77627
(409) 724-7339
darby5@sbcglobal.net
Received the following email from Cleo Tacker Haley's granddaughter
Geminitwin :
My grandmother Cleo Haley (Tacker) was an active member of the church for as long as I can remember. She did not sit on the board nor did she involve herself with the finances thereof, unless asked to fill in for someone. She did not want to think of it as another job or business in which to keep up with. She wanted us (myself Laura, my twin Lisa, and our three brothers, Kevin, Brian, and Craig) to get the most out of our time spent in the pews on Sunday mornings. Especially after there was no longer bible study for the kids.
We also took part in the pancake suppers and the one (I Think) spaghetti dinner that was held annually at the homecoming building there in Reagan. All of her siblings also attended the Church. Malcorine Droeshe and her family, Betsy Cogan and her husband Dick, Ed Tacker and his wife Wanda and their children. My cousins Kim and David Johnson too.
We grew up and learned about our Faith in GOD and who Jesus Christ was in this Church.
My mom was married to her second husband by Gary but not at the Church. But my cousin Kim her second husband were. Some of my fondest memories took place in or around it, I remember ringing the bell, and letting everyone in town know we were through with services. I had my first crush so did my sister, same boy imagine that, Phillip Weathers. Mr. Matthew's our favorite bus driver ever sat just across the isle from us. He always had a joke or someway to make us little kids laugh and feel noticed.
Every Sunday in our Sunday best we would hurry along to try and make it on time but seldom did. Cleo said that's why we sat where we did, futherest in the back and closest to the door. Though everyone knew when we'd walk through those heavy wooden doors, most resisted the urge to turn and look. They were our people and we were there's.
The picture you have online of the returning Pastor and his wife and daughter, I hate to tell you this but your wrong. Their daughter failed to show up and because the woman taking the picture had already prepared for her my Grandmother Cleo stood-in. Completely embarrassed to be pretending to be her you can see the truth in her face, if you know to look for it. She could not believe she was lying but with some coaxing from my twin and I and our Aunt Betsy she posed for the photo. I have so much more I could talk about but that's about all I was personally involved with. Besides when Pastor Jerry brought rock salt from the ocean to do the children's sermon on, which was right in the middle of the regular service, and my baby cousin (Kim's daughter) stuck some up her nose and screamed bloody murder so loud the rafters shook.
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