Smiley United Methodist Church
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O N Z A L E S C O U N T Y |
Marker Text: Methodists in the Smiley area gathered for informal worship services as early as 1879. In 1885 a congregation, originally known as the Bundick Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, was organized with about six charter families. The Rev. W. H. Killough served as the church's first itinerate pastor. Later, Rancho circuit and other preachers held services at the Smiley Church once a month.
The congregation first met in the Bundick schoolhouse, a two-story wooden structure also used for Lone Star Masonic Lodge meetings. Brush arbors were constructed toward the end of the 19th century for use during summer camp meetings. The Smiley community moved closer to the railroad after the tracks were laid in 1906, and the Methodist congregation built a one-room sanctuary in the new townsite in 1907. It served the fellowship until the current structure was completed and dedicated in 1948. Members of the Smiley United Methodist Church generally have come from farmings and ranching families. Over the years they have provided significant service and leadership to the community and have continued to uphold the ideals and traditions of the founders. (1986) |
Marker No: 4952
Aluminum 27 x 42 Subject Marker
Geographic: 29.268688,-97.641434
Location: 1/2 block South of US 87 and Morey Street, Smiley.
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