Historical Marker

North End Methodist Church

Historical marker location:
3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas
( Facing the church Sanctuary from the south side parking lot looking north at the Sanctuary building)
Marker installed: 2012
Marker size: 27" x 42"

IN 1835, HENRY MILLARD AND THE THOMAS HULING COMPANY OF JASPER COUNTY PURCHASED LAND FROM NANCY TEVIS, WIFE OF ORIGINAL LAND OWNER NOAH TEVIS, AND ESTABLISHED THE TOWN OF BEAUMONT. THE GROWTH OF THE TOWN BOOMED AFTER THE FIRST SPINDLETOP OIL DISCOVERY IN 1901. IN 1912 RESIDENTS IN THE NEWLY SETTLED NORTH END BUILT A METHODIST CHURCH WITH THE HELP OF DR. WALTER JOHNSON OF THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH. THOSE ASSISTING DR. JOHNSON IN EARLY MAY 1912 WERE J.B. GASKIN, E.H. SPENCER, MRS. L.C. BAKER, MRS. J.D. VEST, AND MRS. BILL RAYBURN. NORTH END METHODIST CHURCH (LATER RENAMED WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH) HELD THEIR FIRST SERVICES ON MAY 12, 1912 IN A SHED ON THE CORNER OF LIVE OAK AND CABLE STREETS. DURING THE INTERVENING YEARS WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MOVED FOUR TIMES, AND IN 2004 MOVED TO A NEW SANCTUARY ON THE CORNER OF MAJOR DRIVE AND FOLSOM ROAD THAT WOULD BE CALLED THE “MOVE OF FAITH”.

CHURCH MEMBERS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN MISSION WORK, DISASTER RELIEF AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. DURING WORLD WAR I, THE CHURCH SUPPORTED THE RED CROSS BY SEWING GARMENTS FOR SOLDIERS. MEMBERS OF WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ARE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE THAT INCLUDES BUILDING HOMES FOR AREA RESIDENTS, SERVING HOT MEALS AND COLLECTING FOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE CHURCH HAS GROWN AND NOW INCLUDES A FAMILY LIFE CENTER, YOUTH, SCOUTING AND EDUCATION BUILDINGS, AND FACILITIES FOR VISITING MISSIONARIES. WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HAS HAD CONTINUAL MEMBERSHIP SINCE THE FIRST SERVICES IN 1912. WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY WITH MANY MEMBERS ENTERING THE MINISTRY. THE CHURCH’S MOTTO IS “TO KNOW GOD AND MAKE GOD KNOWN.”

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.

Methodist denomination churches religion
The state flower of Texas is the bluebonnet. The flower blooms in the spring and is a common sight along the highways and in fields throughout the state.
Texas random facts
Jefferson County, Texas, has a rich history that spans back several centuries. It is home to the indigenous tribes who had lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. In the early 16th century, Spanish explorers reached the area and claimed it as part of New Spain. However, it was not until the early 19th century that the region began to see significant settlement.

In the early 1820s, Empresario Joseph Vehlein obtained a contract to settle 300 families in the region. The land, once inhabited by the Atakapa people, soon attracted settlers of various origins, including Americans, Europeans, and enslaved Africans. The area became known for its fertile soil, offering ideal conditions for agriculture and ranching.

The city of Beaumont was established in the mid-19th century and quickly developed into a major trading and shipping center due to its access to the Neches River and the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901 marked a turning point in the county's history, as the region experienced a significant oil boom. This brought great prosperity and transformed the area's economy, leading to the development of the petrochemical industry in the following decades.

Throughout the 20th century, Jefferson County witnessed various social and economic changes. It played a key role in World War II, serving as the location for significant military activity, including the establishment of one of the largest military shipbuilding centers in the country. The county also experienced desegregation struggles during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, which eventually led to greater equality.

Today, Jefferson County continues to be an important industrial center for petrochemicals and petroleum-related industries. It is also home to a diverse population and offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Jefferson County, Texas.

  • 1836: Jefferson County is established as a municipality of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1838: The town of Beaumont is founded.
  • 1840: Jefferson County becomes part of the newly-formed State of Texas.
  • 1845: Texas is admitted to the United States, and Jefferson County becomes a county within the state.
  • 1858: A railroad is completed, connecting Beaumont to surrounding areas.
  • 1865: The Civil War ends, and Jefferson County begins to recover from the war's impact.
  • 1881: The Spindletop oil field, the first major oil discovery in Texas, is found in Jefferson County.
  • 1901: The Lucas Gusher at Spindletop oil field erupts, launching the Texas oil boom.
  • 1925: The Neches River is first navigable by deep-draft vessels, boosting the county's shipping industry.
  • 1943: The Port of Beaumont is established as a major center for the shipping and petrochemical industries.
  • 1989: Hurricane Gilbert strikes Jefferson County, causing significant damage to the area.
  • 2005: Hurricane Rita makes landfall in Jefferson County, leading to widespread devastation.
  • 2017: Hurricane Harvey causes widespread flooding in Jefferson County.