Chambersville Methodist Church

The man who deeded the land had been in Chambersville since 1859. J. M. Bryan served in Company C of the Ninth Texas Infantry, was wounded and held prisoner for five months, and returned to the frontier service after he recovered. In 1866 he married Elizabeth, Elisha Chambers' daughter. He kept the store, became postmaster in 1894 and sold the church lot in 1905. His granddaughter's memoir recalls roads so muddy on dedication day that wagons took a back lane, and Sunday singings that filled the school with visitors from Melissa and Weston.

What the plaque says

Chambersville Methodist Church Established in 1905, Chambersville Methodist Church has served this community for more than 100 years. From Chambersville's founding in 1847 until the church's organization, residents attended non-denominational services in various locations. J.M. Bryan deeded property for the church, which was to be located across from the community school; members first met at a white frame building they constructed. Since that time, the congregation has been active in community affairs; their Harvest Festival, begun in 1945, has become a Chambersville tradition. Members built a new structure in 1948. Today, Chambersville Methodist Church continues to be a beacon of light in the community. (2009)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary — 10 mi
  A 289-acre sanctuary in McKinney that Bessie Heard founded at the age of 80, with five habitats, a 50-acre wetland and 6.5 miles of trails.
• Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site — 30 mi
  The two-story farmhouse west of Bonham that the longtime Speaker of the House built in 1916 and kept as his home, left as he lived in it and open as a museum since 1975.

More markers nearby

• Chambersville Cemetery — steps away
• Chambersville — steps away
• Gus Wilson — 1.8 mi
• Dr. William Edward Throckmorton — 2.8 mi