 Sherman Democrat July 4, 1976 America Always Edition pg 11C OUTDOOR REVIVALS MARKED EARLY VAN CHURCH WORK Van Alstyne - Van Alstyne's history is rich with early-day church congregations, according to the city's history prepared by W.M. Arnspiger. The First Christian Church, organized in Mantua in 1846, moved to Van Alstyne in June of 1891. Elder R.C. Horn, pioneer minister, helped in its reorganization after the move. In 1913 a contract for a new building was signed, and the structure was completed and occupied by 1915. It was at that time the only brick church in Van Alstyne. Many revival meetings were held out in the open on the lawn back of the church through the years.  source: 1996 Van Alstyne Historical Calendar The First Methodist Church was the first on the scene in the new town of Van Alstyne. It was organized in 1848 by the Rev. Joab Biggs with six charter members including Mr. and Mrs. William Creager, Mr. and Mrs. Carroll McKinney and Patsy McBride. The sixth member is unknown. This church group also used the "Old Liberty" building for a while, and then moved to its own structure across the creek north of the Mantua Seminary. After Mantua was deserted, the congregation move to Van Alstyne, and the first building was located where the present cemetery is. In 1883 this building was sold to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Methodist services held under the tabernacle where Tillet's Grocery now stands. The present building was erected in 1917, and is still the largest church building in town. First Baptist Church of Van Alstyne was organized in 1881, and services were held in home of members or in tents for several years. The first permanent structure was located east of the railroad, and then a building was erected on North Waco street.   The pastor, Rev. Virgil Hailey, raised $11,000 in a six-month campaign to offset the debt against the church. The church was dedicated in an all-day service on the first Sunday in March, 1925. The Rev. Frank Groner, then corresponding secretary of the State Baptist Convention, was speaker for the dedication.  source: 1996 Van Alstyne Historical Calendar A Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in the mid 1880s and existed for only a few years and then disbanded. Dr. J.W. Greer who came to Van Alstyne from Mantua, was a member of this church.  source: 1996 Van Alstyne Historical Calendar Until recent years, the Baptist, Methodist and Christian Churches were the only denominations in town....faiths are represented in today's churches. They are : The Church of Christ, Church of God, Congregational Methodist, East Side Church of Christ, First Baptist, First Christian, First Methodist, Morningside Christian, Pentecostal, Samaria Baptist and Elmont Baptist Churches. Van Alstyne History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |