First Methodist Church of San Benito

On January 22, 1908, less than one year after the platting of San Benito, the Rev. C.E.W. Smith, a pastor in Brownsville, organized the First Methodist Church. The Rev. Smith preached to the congregation once a month at a local one-room schoolhouse. The church would move meetings to a tow-room schoolhouse and then to a Baptist church sanctuary before constructing a Methodist church building on this site in 1910. The following year, the Rev. W.N. Vernon became the church's first full-time pastor. The early years of First Methodist Church were marked by increased membership, particularly under the pastorate of the Rev. J. Fisher (1915-1922). From its beginnings, the congregation has been involved in sponsoring international mission teams and has been an active participant and organizer of interdenominational associations and classes. Through a variety of programs, including counseling and food and clothing projects, the church has been instrumental in aiding others. The church has also shown concern for servicemen, as women of the congregation created medical supplies and clothing for soldiers during World Wars I and II. Members have expanded facilities at this site over the years, constructing a new sanctuary in 1931. Today, First United Methodist Church of San Benito continues as a vital spiritual leader, helping those in need and playing a vital role in the betterment of the community and the lower Rio Grande Valley. (2007)

First Methodist Church of San Benito is a historical marker in San Benito, Cameron County, dedicated in 2007. It is one of 116 historical markers documented in Cameron County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 194 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 26.1341, -97.6296 near San Benito. The nearest cataloged historic site is San Benito Post Office (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Purvis, Albanus Clemens, Robertson, Col. Sam, Home of, and First Presbyterian Church of San Benito.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507014003. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.