North End Methodist Church

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.”.