Merit Methodist Church

Historical marker location:

Greenville, Texas

( take US 380 about 7 mi. west of FM 36; go north about 4 mi. to FM 2194; go west 1 mile to Church St.; go north to church)

Marker installed: 1971

Organized in April 1871. First pastor was the Rev. W. P. Reed; first member, Margaret Owens. Services were held at Merit School.

In 1888 land was bought and a frame church built.

Wrecked by a 1905 storm and then rebuilt, church still serves descendants of original members.

Methodist denomination churches religion

In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.