By 1848 Jefferson had become the most important city in North Texas, and the membership rolls of The Methodist Episcopal Church had grown to a size sufficient to support a full-time pastor.  The congregation, which had built a log worship place, acquired three more lots and built a parsonage.

Jefferson's Methodist prospered with the town and in 1860 built a church that was reputed to be "the most imposing brick structure west of the Mississippi."  This magnificent building seated between seven and eight hundred people.  From an elegant steeple extending sixty feet above the roof crest a bell pealed.  To add a silvery tone to the bell, 1500 melted Mexican silver dollars were added to the alloys that are customarily used in large bells.  The silver dollars were sent to a foundry in Troy, New York, via Big Cypress Bayou, Caddo Lake, the Red River, the Mississippi River and then New Orleans and then on to the East.  The coins returned as a bell by way of the Ohio River, back down the Mississippi River, then the Red River and finally through Lake Caddo to the Big Cypress Bayou to Jefferson.  Beautiful and splendid as this house of worship was, it eventually became structurally unsound and needed to be replaced.

Jefferson citizens, like people in most other important Confederate cities, suffered great financial setbacks caused by the Civil War and the Reconstruction that resulted in occupation by unfriendly Northern troops.  Jefferson had the additional malady of having lost its importance as a port city due to the onslaught of the railroads and the Corps of Engineers' destroying of a natural dam that had made Lake Caddo and Big Cypress Bayou navigable.  Like other Jeffersonians, the Methodist weren't as prosperous as they had been.

This faithful Christian fellowship was determined to continue being a beacon for God.  These members were not deterred from their ministry by reduced financial strength.  In 1883 they resourcefully used the foundation and basement of the condemned church to construct an imposing and beautiful wooden chapel with educational facilities below ground.  The newer church was realistically reduced to fit the reduced population of Jefferson.  Still, it stood high on a hill and seemed to reach toward heaven.  Jefferson Methodists once again had a sanctuary for worship, Christian training and missionary endeavors.  The silver bell from the old brick church still invited all who were seeking God to "come to church."  Today, Milton Bass, a guiding disciple whose father and grandfather were also leaders in this church, rings the bell in a way unique to this church.  He is currently teaching his grandchildren and great grandchildren the historic bell-ringing technique.

The interior of the sanctuary is rich in New Testament symbolism.  In the center of the ceiling is a large diamond motif that is divided into four triangles.  This design is repeated four times on the east and west walls and twice on the north and south walls.  The triangles represent the Trinity.  The four rectangular designs on each wall running parallel to the chapel symbolize the Four Gospels.  The twelve motifs celebrate the Twelve Apostles.  An empty cross at the front of the sanctuary asserts that Christ is no longer on the cross.  He is risen! 

The First United Methodist Church of Jefferson, Texas, still worships in this historic chapel built in 1883.  An educational building has been added to accommodate the activities and outreach of the church.  The membership supports missionary efforts not only in Jefferson, but also throughout the world.

We hope you visit First United Methodist Church while you are in Jefferson.  A member of the church would love to take you on a guided tour at no charge.  More importantly, we hope you come worship with us on Sunday morning.  Our doors are open to all who are seeking God.  Whether you are a visitor or a newcomer to Jefferson and Marion County, you will find a fellowship that welcomes you with open arms.  Please come as you are; we are a country church.  We are located just one block north of the Post Office, Carnegie Library and the Hebes Fountain.