First Methodist Church - Bastrop,
1925
In
1923 the following committee was elected to consider the feasibility
of constructing a new church building: Mr. J.T. Shell, Chairman; Mr. C.F.
McBride, Treasurer; Dr. C.W. Pomeroy, Dr. L.E. Larche, Mr. A.C. Volk,
I. Fred Marlatt, A.G. McBride, 0. J. Oleson, C.N. Dalton, J.T. Dalton,
Jr., C.H. Fisher, W.F. Rodgers, Dr. R.B. Leavell, S. Ben Shell, G.W. Naff,
McVea Young, T.G. Franklin, and C1. Goodwin. Some of these men have descendants
who are members of our church. This committee met with the architect,
J.A. Bayles on Dec. 3, 1923 and selected plans for the new church building.
The old building was razed in Sept 1924 and construction on the foundation
of die present building was begun on September 29, 1924.
On Sunday afternoon December 7, 1924 the cornerstone of the present
building was placed during a special service. Presiding Elder N.E. Joyner
presided at the ceremony, assisted by Pastor G .A. Morgan and Mr .J .T
.Shell from the Board of Trustees. There was special music by the choir
and Dr. Larche was one member of a quartet that performed that afternoon.
The cornerstone from the old church building was reused in the present
building by turning its inscription toward the inside of the wall and
the new inscription showing outward. The cornerstone is visible on the
southeast corner of the church. It is a solid marble block, which has
been hollowed out. Mr .G. W. Hiatt, Sr. who was an owner of Bastrop Glass
Manufacturing Co., furnished a truck to take die marble to a stone cutter
in Monroe to be inscribed. The following items were placed in a copper
box and sealed within the cornerstone: a King James Version of the Bible,
a Church Discipline, a Church Hymnal, a number of church periodicals,
a document setting forth the name of the church -Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, a list of members of the church, a list of members of the quarterly
conference, names of members of the building committee and names of every
contributor to the building fund.
While the church was under construction, local Jewish friends made
their synagogue available to the Methodists for Sunday worship. The construction
of the present building cost $32,000. Many members were unable to fulfil
their pledges to the building fund due to the devastating effects of the
great depression. In the fall of 1936, almost twelve years after its completion,
$8,192.50 indebtedness remained on the church building. Details elsewhere
in this account relate how the congregation rallied to the cause and while
still in the throes of the depression continued to reduce the debt.
On January 24, 1983 a fire at the church caused considerable damage
to the pastor's and secretary's offices and to the parlor above. Repairs
from the fire, smoke, and water damage cost $63,414.71- all covered by
insurance. Fortunately, the church records were secure in a fireproof
cabinet. When the renovations were completed Brother Peeples reported
"a perfectly beautiful restoration."
