History Carroll Springs United Methodist Church

History Of Carroll Springs United Methodist Church

In the beginning...a circuit rider came to different homes and preached for the community. This went on for several years. In 1858 or 1859, a log building was built which served as the school and church. Twelve Methodist Churches were organized in Henderson County in 1859. The County Line Church was organized with fifteen members. In 1863, the Reverend William Darty was sent to the County Line Church by the Texas District Henderson County of the Methodist Church.

The church was moved to New Hope on Wolf Creek (on Anderson County 404) with Reverend J.F. Lambright, pastor. In 1872, the church was moved to Cool Springs with J .F. Lambright, pastor. The location is an object of disagreement. The church was most probably on or near Catfish Creek, as the assessment from the Methodist Conference was to the church at Catfish for fifteen dollars. The post office had been at Kickapoo until a trading post was established on Catfish Creek. Thus, this area became known as Catfish, Texas.

In 1883, the church moved to Carroll Springs. It was located near the existing cemetery and Mr. Carroll's tanning yard. Reverend J.F. Lambright was the pastor. On March 5, 1884, A.M. Carroll deeded four and one fifth acres for the school, church and cemetery. Mr. Carroll, assger of Arthur Hogg, was granted by the state of Texas the land March 29, 1858. The church listed forty members.

August has been a busy month for Carroll Springs Church. The Friday before the first Sunday in August was the working and cleaning the cemetery. A big lunch was served, and thus, the week long Brush Arbor Revival was underway. Coal oil lanterns lit the arbor. Coleman lanterns followed, then electricity. The arbor was cool and the willow branches used for cover were fragrant. The homemade benches and piano were moved outside under the arbor.

In the late forties, the way of life was changed. A caretaker was hired for the cemetery. Friday was changed to the first Sunday in August, and this date is still used for the annual homecoming.

In 1954, the existing church was built. It was dedicated May, 1955. Reverend Faulk Landrum was the pastor.

In the fifties, the government began a school for veterans of World War ll. A building was built at Carroll Springs beside the church. When the school ended, the building was given to the community and church. Since, this building has been used as the church fellowship hall. In 2001, plans have been made to remodel, add a kitchen, add new floor covering and repaint the interior.

In the late eighties, three Sunday school rooms and a bathroom was added. In the nineties, a steeple was added atop of the church.

In August, 1983, Carroll Springs was one hundred years old. A historical marker was placed in front of the church. The church is anticipating the 125th anniversary. Carroll Springs has a great church family which works and prays together. An active ladies prayer group works diligently, raising funds for many church projects.

The church family shares happy times, sad times and times of need. Many of the members are related to the 1883 charter members. The sentiments expressed by these are,"If your roots are just beginning at Carroll Springs, we hope that you will help us carry on our history. The ones that have deep roots here, our hope is to keep alive what our forefathers have given us."

A wise man once said, "If you don't know where you have been, how do you know where you are going?"

"Thanks to the rich history of where we know we have been, now it is up to US where we go!"