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Waples Methodist Church Denison, Texas The Denison Daily Herald
Waples Church Is Named For Early Benefactor Here In 1875 Southern Methodist began in Denison with a mission church at 430 West Chestnut street, under the leadership of Rev. Z. Parker, and continued a mission church until 1881 with Rev. W.D. Shea as pastor in 1876, Rev. G.W. Cottingham, 1877, Rev. F.S. Rosser, 1878-1879, and Rev. A.J. Worley, 1880. In 1881 Southern Methodist in Denison had grown until ti was no longer a mission church and Rev. C.I. McWhister was the first regular pastor during 1881 and 1882. From 1883-1887 the church was served by Rev. R.S. Gosline, Rev. A.J. Worley, Rev. T.E. Sherwood and Rev. J.F. Alderson. During the latter's pastorate Mr. and Mrs. Paul Waples, in honor of whom the church was named, became members. They were the parents of Mrs. A.F. Platter, 1129 W. Sears street, Denison and Mrs. A. Wandelohr, 802 Crockett street, Sherman. Under the following pastors: Rev. C.E. Lamb, 1888-1889 Rev. H.O. Moore, 1890-1891 Rev. W.M.P. Rippy, 1892-1893 Rev. N.B. Read, 1894-1896 Rev. J.S. Stafford, 1897 the membership outgrew the church building and in 1898, with Rev. P.C. Acher, pastor and the optimistic member, Mr. Waples as his assistant, plans for the main auditorium of the present Waples Memorial Church were drawn and the building started. The first gift toward the new building was $3,000 from Mr. Waples and check for same was written on his death bed while only the foundation of the structure was completed, he called his children to him and asked that they remain true to this church and see that every need was provided for. The church was dedicated in April 1899. Rev. P.C. Archer remained pastor until 1902 when Rev. J.W. Hill wa transferred to the church and continued pastor until 1906. At that time the bishop sent Rev. E.L. Egger, who served the church until 1909. From 1909 until 1918 the following were pastors: Rev. C.A. Spraggins, 1909 Rev. E.W. Alderson, 1910-1911 Rev. E.L. Egger, 1912-1913 Rev. P.R. Knickerbocker, 1914-1915 Rev. O.T. Cooper, 1916 C.M. Simpson, 1917 and from 1918 to 192, Rev. C.W. Hearon. During these years the church had again become too small for the membership and Sunday School and an addition for the accomodation of the Sunday School was built to the main auditorium. The debt of same was cancelled in 1920 under the leadership of Rev. C.W. Hearon. During the 1922 and 1923, Rev. W.D. Thompson served as pastor as did Rev. H.M. Timmons from 1924 to 1927. In 1924 the congested conditions existed and plans for an educational building were started. In July of that year the lot east of the church was purchased, but not until in April 1926 were the final plans for the building finished. In May of that same year, A.F. Platter pledged $12,500 toward the new building if the entire cost did not exceed $50,000.00. The following month a campaign was started to raise the remaining cost of the building. In June of 1927, during the first year of the pastorate of Rev. F.A. Crutchfield, Mr. Platter again gave $12,500 on the debt. On August 26, 1927 the board of stewards decided to proceed with the erection of the building although all funds were not in sight as had been desired. It was completed in July or August 1928. Rev. F.A. Crutchfield remained pastor until 1931 when Rev. Homer T. Ford was sent to the church and remained pastor until 1934. Rev. S.M. Black took his place until 1936 when the present pastor, Rev. D. Emory Hawk, came to the church. A few of the members of the little church on Chestnut remain. They are: Mrs. A.F. Platter, 1129 W. Sears street Mrs. C.T. McElvaney, 510 W. Crawford street Mrs. Sallie Flemming, 212 S. Fannin avenue Mrs. Birdie Mae Lewin, 915 W. Gandy street Mrs. R.W. Mayes, 700 W. Texas street Mrs. A. Wandelohr, 802 Crockett street, Sherman The membership of the church at present is 800. R.A. Porter, Jr. is church treasurer, Miss Mabel Campbell, secretary, R.S. King, Chariman of the board of stewards...  Waples Methodist Church History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |