First United Methodist Church of Lufkin
Margaret (Fullerton) Abney, born in Alabama in 1829, joined the Methodist Church with her family at a camp meeting held at nearby McKendree Campground in 1863. Because the nearest Methodist church was ten miles away, Mrs. Abney held Bible study meetings in her home on Sunday afternoons.
This group of Abney family and friends formed the nucleus of the membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, when it organized a Lufkin congregation in 1882. One of eight churches in the Homer circuit, the congregation met once a month in a local school building to hear the sermons of the Reverend H. H. Vaughan. In 1884 a 200-seat frame church building was erected in downtown Lufkin on land donated by the railroad. The building was shared with local Presbyterians and Baptists.
By 1891, membership had grown to 100 and the pastor held services twice a month. Ten years later, the membership numbered 286 and the pastor was serving full-time. Completed in 1905 at a cost of $14,750, a new sanctuary seated more than 800 people.
The church propsered, requiring an educational building by 1928. Despite the difficult times of the Depression era and World War II, the congregation continued to grow, and the church was relocated to Denman Avenue in 1959. By 1978, when the congregation celebrated the 100 years since Mrs. Abney began her Sunday School, the church complex included six buildings.
The First United Methodist Church of Lufkin continues an active tradition of community and missionary service. (1998)
As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.
The city of Austin, the state capital, is known as the live music capital of the world. It is home to many music festivals, including South by Southwest (SXSW) and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
In the 19th century, the area that is now Angelina County found itself in the middle of the conflict between Spanish Texas and the newly-formed Republic of Mexico. As Mexico gained independence from Spain, the region became a part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. This tumultuous period culminated in the Texas Revolution, during which Texas gained its independence from Mexico, leading to the formation of the Republic of Texas.
Angelina County was officially established in 1846, named after a Hainai Native American woman who had served as a guide and interpreter for Spanish and French expeditions in the area. The county experienced rapid growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to the timber industry. The area's vast pine forests attracted logging and sawmill operations, which led to the establishment of several towns and the creation of jobs.
Over the years, Angelina County has diversified its economy beyond timber. The discovery of oil and natural gas in the early 20th century brought further economic growth and development to the region. Today, the county continues to thrive with a mix of industries, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, and agriculture. The county is also home to various recreational areas, including Lake Sam Rayburn and the Angelina National Forest, which attract visitors from near and far. Angelina County's rich history and thriving present make it a vibrant and dynamic part of Texas.
Angelina County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Angelina County, Texas.
- 1805: The area that would become Angelina County is part of the disputed Neutral Ground between Spanish Texas and the United States.
- Early 19th Century: Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Cherokee, and Apache, populate the region.
- 1837: Angelina County is officially established from parts of Houston County and Nacogdoches County. It is named after a Delaware Indian girl, Angelina, who was married to a settler, who later became a local Native American agent.
- 1846: The first county seat, Marion, is established near the Neches River, but is later abandoned in favor of the more central Lufkin.
- Mid-19th Century: The county's economy relies on agriculture, particularly cotton production, as well as timber and sawmills.
- 1882: The Houston East and West Texas Railway is extended into Angelina County, boosting economic development and commerce.
- Early 20th Century: The discovery of oil deposits contributes to the county's growth and prosperity.
- 1927: Lufkin becomes the official county seat, replacing Homer.
- 20th Century: Angelina County experiences periods of economic growth and decline, influenced by various factors such as the Great Depression, the oil industry, and the timber industry.
- Today: Angelina County remains an important center for timber production, while also diversifying its economy with manufacturing, healthcare, and education sectors.