This Week in Texas Methodist History March 12
Parsonage Acquistion Urged March 15, 1879
One of the developments in late 19th century Texas was the movement to acquire parsonages. There had been little need for parsonages when almost all preachers rode long circuits. The coming of the railroads and the subsequent growth of cities meant that some circuits became stations and even circuit churches were larger and more prosperous. Houston became large enough in 1879 to start a second M. E. C. S. church, Washington Ave.
The pages of the Texas Christian Advocate were full of letters to the editor about parsonages. A lively debate occurred about whether parsonages should be adjacent to the church or separated from it.
On March 15, 1879, Joe Jones described the ideal Texas Methodist parsonage:
It is always better for a preacher to be near his church, as he often has no conveyance and his family ought always to attend Sunday-school and all other social meetings. Let it be understood that a large yard is to be given to the house in order that his wife and daughter will have the benefit of flowers. . .and if needful, a fruit tree or two. Then there is a garden, large enough to supply all the vegetables for his table. And. . an orchard, for no one loves fruit more than a preacher. . . .you will have a horse lot, a cow pen, and "patch" . No less than five acres on every circuit in Texas ought to be put aside for a parsonage ere this conference year ends.
One of the developments in late 19th century Texas was the movement to acquire parsonages. There had been little need for parsonages when almost all preachers rode long circuits. The coming of the railroads and the subsequent growth of cities meant that some circuits became stations and even circuit churches were larger and more prosperous. Houston became large enough in 1879 to start a second M. E. C. S. church, Washington Ave.
The pages of the Texas Christian Advocate were full of letters to the editor about parsonages. A lively debate occurred about whether parsonages should be adjacent to the church or separated from it.
On March 15, 1879, Joe Jones described the ideal Texas Methodist parsonage:
It is always better for a preacher to be near his church, as he often has no conveyance and his family ought always to attend Sunday-school and all other social meetings. Let it be understood that a large yard is to be given to the house in order that his wife and daughter will have the benefit of flowers. . .and if needful, a fruit tree or two. Then there is a garden, large enough to supply all the vegetables for his table. And. . an orchard, for no one loves fruit more than a preacher. . . .you will have a horse lot, a cow pen, and "patch" . No less than five acres on every circuit in Texas ought to be put aside for a parsonage ere this conference year ends.
posted by texman at 6:15 AM
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