Van Alstyne Leader
1937

History of the Van Alstyne Woman’s Missionary Society

The Methodist Women of Van Alstyne were first organized as a Ladies Aid Society in 1885, Mrs. B.W. Hampton, President and Miss Burem Henderson (Mrs. S.D. Moore) Secretary.

Out of that organization grew the Women’s Department of Church Extension, which in 1894 became known as the Parsonage and Home Mission Society with Mrs. J.D.L. McKinney, its first President, and Mrs. W.H. Cave its first Secretary.

In 1900 the name was changed again to the Woman’s Home Mission Society.  In 1904 the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society was organized and functioned for nine years under the presidency of Mrs. Scott Fulton, with Mrs. R.L. Bowen (Monta), Secretary, and Mrs. J.R. Lewis, Treasurer.  It was under the inspiration of this society that Miss Helen Hickman, a teacher in the public school, volunteered for special service and later served in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a Missionary.

In 1912 the two branches of the Woman’s work were united into the Woman’s Missionary Society, Mrs. John Drye serving as first President.  These women have been closely identified with every advance movement of the local and connectional work.

When the movement was launched to build a new Church the women worked enthusiastically and successfully to raise their quota of funds.  The finishing and furnishing of the parlors, dining room and kitchen was sponsored by them, involving hard work…..