First Methodist Church of Groveton

In 1903 the Texas Conference sent 28-year-old Jesse Lee to Groveton, and on his first morning he presided at the funeral of a murdered church member. Bob Bowman's account says Lee named lawbreakers from the pulpit and carried a pistol as Sheriff John Stanley's deputy. After his church and parsonage burned, his superior, J. B. Sears, told him to go back. After a key witness and County Attorney Howard Robb were murdered, Lee and ten businessmen broke open whiskey barrels in illicit saloons and nailed the doors shut. Nearly 200 joined, and a Law and Order League followed.

What the plaque says

First Methodist Church of Groveton First Methodist Church of Groveton This sawmill town was founded in 1882, followed by the establishment of a Groveton Methodist congregation in 1883. Begun as a mission church, the first services were held in the school building. A Sunday school was organized by Mrs. M.L.T. Sloan. A church lot was purchased in April 1887, And a church building and parsonage were constructed. Both structures burned down and were rebuilt sometime after 1887. From 1890 to 1907 fighting, murders, and disorderly content were ride spread in Groveton's numerous saloons and gaming resorts. The Methodist church was burned, apparently by arsonists who disagreed with the Reverend Jesse Lee's attempts to read the lumber company town of its liquor, saloons and lawlessness. A new church was built in 1914 at the corner of Church and Second streets. It included stained glass windows around the sanctuary. Additions and improvements were made through the years. In the 1960s a modern church structure and parsonage were built. A belltower was added in 1970 containing the bell from the 1914 church building. The church continues to serve its members into the community as it has for more than 110 years. (1996)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Groveton — steps away
• Trinity County Seats — steps away
• George Washington Carver School — 0.5 mi
• Site of the Town of Sumpter — 4.5 mi