This Week in Texas Methodist History January 7

San Augustine Methodists Celebrate Centennial of Cornerstone Laying, January 7, 1938

The first recorded cornerstone laying ceremony of a Methodist Church building in Texas that can be documented occurred in San Augustine on January 7, 1838.   Littleton Fowler recorded in his Journal that about 800 people were in attendance for that event.  He was one of the main speakers.  General (later Senator) Thomas J. Rusk was the other.  The ceremony followed the ritual of the Masonic Order.  Fowler had spent most of the winter previous to January 7 in Houston, and while there, had been named as chaplain for the Grand Lodge of Texas.  His letters reveal that he and Rusk travelled from Houston to San Augustine together, and you probably know that the following June Fowler married Mrs. Missouir Porter of San Augustine and established his farm in the vicinity.

One hundred years later a centennial of that event occurred.  Judge J. N. Combs of Beaumont was the principal speaker at 10:00 a.m.  and highlighted the contributions of Masonry to Texas History.  He was followed at 11:00 by the worship service.  The sermon was delivered by Rev. Fred Few of First Methodist Longview.  That afternoon featured a program provided by students from the Methodist Home in Waco.  Frank Dent was the pastor.  

There is an interesting connection between the preacher and the Methodist Home.  The Methodist Home in Waco traditionally made its fund raising effort as a Christmas offering.  The Home published the contributions.  There was some competition among the churches to lead the list.  The previous Christmas of 1937 had seen First Longview win the competition with $3100 contributed.  Marvin Tyler had come in second with $3030.   Few therefore had some bragging rights when he came to San Augustine.