May United Methodist Church

Methodists in this area were initially served by circuit-riding preachers. First to come to the region in the 1860s was the Rev. Hugh M. Childress, and worship services were held in private homes. In 1882, the Rev. Peter Gravis organized Mt. Zion Methodist Church, which later merged with the congregation at Byrds. Both of these communities, along with Bethel, Brooks, Clio, Gap Creek, Green's Chapel, Holder, Pleasant Valley, Rocky, Shrum, Verbena, Williams, Windham and Wolf Valley became part of the May charge. Brush arbor revivals were held each summer. The May Methodist Church was formally organized in 1886. Members gathered for services in nearby Verbena until 1890, when they began meeting in the newly constructed May schoolhouse. Four years later, members built their own one-room church, which served until they constructed a new brick building with memorial stained glass windows in 1929-30. After 70 years of service, the church building was destroyed by fire in January 2000. Throughout its history, the May United Methodist Church has upheld the ideals and traditions of its pioneer founders. Despite the Depression, droughts, floods, wars and fire, the church has served its members and the May community for more than 100 years. (2001)

May United Methodist Church is a historical marker in May, Brown County, dedicated in 2001. It is one of 54 historical markers documented in Brown County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 74 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.9638, -98.9208 near May. The nearest cataloged historic site is May Cemetery (cemetery), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include May Community, Pleasant Valley Cemetery, and Wolf Valley Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5049012532. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.