History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

History of Bosqueville Methodist Church

Bosqueville, Texas

Alston W. Ferrill, Pastor

W.W. Ward, Presiding Elder
H.A. Boaz, Bishop
Original Printing June 1936

Dedication
To our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Silent Partner in all our undertakings, the Answerer of all
our worthy prayers, the One who has been the source of inspiration to every Christian who has been a
member of this church and its church school since it was organized, we affectionately dedicate this little
book.

Acknowledgements:
The author wishes to use this method of thanking each one who has helped in any way with the
production of this booklet. Historical information furnished by Mrs. Matt Steinbeck, Mrs. J.F. Cobbs,
Mrs. Ora Mitchner, Mr. L.M. Layne, Mrs. Mary Woodward, Miss Al Giles, and others has been of great
value. Brother Fate Walker’s “History of McLennan County Baptist Association” has been of great help,
and especially a “History of McLennan County” by various authors and owned by J.F. Cobbs has been
of very great help.
Special thanks are due Miss. Lucille Boggs for her work in typewriting and helping print this work.

A Brief History of Methodism

God Bless a Great Leader

“Thou are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

“These words gripped the soul of a troubled minister as he sought personal peace with God on May
24, 1738. That morning at 5 o’clock, he had opened his Bible and his eyes fell upon these haunting
words: “There are given unto us, exceedingly great and precious promises that we should be partakers
of the divine nature.”
The anthem that day in St. Paul’s Cathedral seemed to voice the tempest within his own soul as the
choir sang, “Out of the deep have I called unto Thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice; let Thine ears
consider well the voice of my complaints.”
Then these words of hope sang their way into his restless spirit,; “O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with
the Lord there is mercy, and he shall redeem Israel from all his sins.”
That evening this perplexed seeker after divine assurance, John Wesley, went reluctantly to the
society in Aldersgate where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. Let us
listen as he describes what happens on this memorable night, both in his life and that of the unborn
centuries.
“About a quarter before nine, while describing the change which God works in the heart through
faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation.”
God had found John Wesley. John Wesley had found God.

God Finds a Great Leader

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 1

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

Truly there was a man sent from God and his name was John Wesley. The long night of doubt was
gone. He has found Christ not only as the light of the world, but of his own life. Then for ever a have
century, he moves with a new purpose and objective, witnessing to the power of God to redeem men
from sin, and establishing groups of seekers by the hundreds who, like himself, were groping fro inner
light and peace.
When Wesley joined the choir invisible in 1791, he left some 300 ministers and 76,000 members
enrolled in the societies be had set up. Today, 142 years after his translation, worldwide Methodism
has some 153,000 ministers, more than 1,000,000 teachers in her Sunday Schools, 105,000 houses of
worship, and a constituency of more than 40,000,000.
Surely and truly, we should say, “What wonders God has wrought.”

Methodism Comes to America

In was an evening in 1776 in the city of New York. A group of men were playing cards. A woman,
Barbara Heck, in whose soul the fires of the eternal were burning, discovered them. She dashed the
cards into the fire and preached a brief but fiery sermon to them. Then she hurried to the home of her
cousin, Phillip Embury, and said, “Phillip, you must preach to us or we shall all go to hell together, and
God will require our blood at your hands.” He asked, “Where shall I preach?” She replied, “In your own
home.” He asked, “Who shall hear me?” She solved the problem by gathering a small congregation for
Embury and he preached the first regular Methodist sermon in America. It might be more truly said that
Barbara Heck preached first, although Embury gets the credit.
Today, 1167 years after that memorable hour, American Methodism and the old John Street
Methodist Church in New York City, were this small group gathered, standing as living testimonies of
what God can do through men and women whose hearts are “strangely warmed” by the same spirit that
brought new life and light to John Wesley. Since that special hour, no denomination has carried the
gospel with greater zeal and more effective results to the masses of America and the world than has
our beloved Methodism.

Methodism Comes to Texas

Methodism felt she had a divine message for all men. She pushed her way into the frontier and
erected her simple Churches or preached in private homes and established her congregations. Like
other parts of the nation, the Methodist circuit rider was early in Texas.
In 1817, William Stevenson preached on the Texas side of the Red River in the home of a Mr.
Wright. The place seems to have been Jonesboro. Here, a Methodist class was formed. This was
several years before any other Protestant denominations actually established work in Texas. Thus,
Methodism has the honor of being the first evangelical Church to begin work in the State. Today, there
are some 580,000 Methodist members in Texas and a constituency of some 2,000,000.
In 1834, Henry Stephenson was placed in charge of all the Methodist work in Texas. The first effort
by the Missionary Board to send missionaries to the State was in 1837, when the Rev. Martin Ruter
was appointed superintendent of the Texas Mission with the Rev. Littleton Fowler and the Rev. Robert
Alexander as helpers. This work was in conjunction with the Mississippi Conference. Dr. Ruter died
during the year and the Rev. Littleton Fowler was selected by the Conference as the Superintendent.
The Mississippi Conference, which met December 3, 1838, appointed the following ministers to work in
Texas; I.L.G. Strickland, Robert Alexander, and Jesse Herd.

Methodism Comes To Bosqueville

When we remember that as late as the year 1836, there were no white settlements any farther up
the Brazos than Cameron, we are surprised at the great advances the Bosqueville Methodist Church
had made by the year 1855. At the dawn of the Nineteenth Century the land called Texas was but a
shadow upon the consciousness of people. In the 1820’s and 30’s the Indians were still roaming over
our state, the Wacos, Tehuacanas, Cherokees, and Comanches roaming on the section now known as
Bosqueville. By 1845 a man named Neil McLennan had begun a homestead eight miles west of Waco
on South Bosque River. In his former travels through this section, he said that the first time he laid

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 2

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

eyes on the Bosque Valley, that he determined that this would be his future home, and the people of
Bosqueville and the Bosque Valley still think as much of his estimate of the valley as did Mr. McLennan
for whom their county was named.
Major George B. Erath in the 1840’s had roamed over the country, as he said that he longed to
have the opportunity to see a city of town size surveyed near the banks of the Brazos by the Waco
Spring. This opportunity came to him in 1849 and 1850 when he was called upon to do the surveying.
From 1850-1855 a group of business houses were erected along Bridge Street and Waco Village came
into being. Notwithstanding the fact that in 1842, a trading post had been established eight miles north
of East Waco by David Terry and George Barnard. The Waco settlement soon grew into large
proportions; by 1850, the population had reached eight hundred people and McLennan County, which
had been organized in 1850 out to the old Milam County, now had a population of 5,200.
When the county was organized there were three well-recognized settlements; Erath (of which
Bosqueville is now part), White Rock, and Waco, but soon there came to be recognized two chief
villages, Waco and Bosqueville. Had Bosqueville had as good a commercial location as Waco, the
proportion of the sizes of the two places today might have been reversed.
We may say, then, as Bosqueville Community was begun between 1850 and 1855. In 1854, a
school district was created, J.H.Starks, J.T.Eubanks and W.Gill as trustees. Sine then, Bosqueville has
ever been prominent in the sponsoring of education. In 1854, the Bosqueville Community built a log
schoolhouse where the cemetery now is. Mrs. Matt Steinbeck says that about this time, her father,
J.H.Sparks sent her to Waco to a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher who was teaching school there.
His teaching was so well liked that Mr. Sparks prevailed on this teacher, Dr. John F. Collier, to establish
a college at Bosqueville and in 1857 the college was established with Dr. Collier and Mrs. Dr. Rowe as
the heads of the teaching force. This college consisted of a school for the boys and a seminary for the
girls. Over 180 students were enrolled. The Civil War broke up this Bosqueville College, Dr. Collier
going to war himself. The Baptists opened up a school there for a while but it was discontinued.
When we begin to think of the history of the Bosqueville Church, we must remember that to get
records of what happened in church life is a difficult thing, especially with a moving population and an
even more rapidly changing ministry. Much of the work has been unrecorded. Probably there are no
two institutions in which Bosqueville people have taken more sincere ride than their education and
religious activities, and yet there are no class of institutions, which have been more careless and lax in
preserving their history than are her churches and schools.
We do know, however, that the pioneer preachers were of such kind that they were fit for all
emergencies. They could preach the gospel, teach the rudiments of education, protect themselves
against Indian attacks, and if necessary, support themselves by farming or some other occupation.
They were men of heroic mold, men who loved the hearts of the people of the frontier better than they
did the comforts of a more settled region in which they had their advantages. A service could be held
and a congregation gathered with far less ceremony than is necessary today. A man who came to this
wild country and endured its hardships could scatter the news that he was going to preach in some
grove, or in some cabin, or under some tree, or from a wagon bed, and he would have plenty of
hearers. People heard him gladly because they had nothing else to hear. The old log schoolhouse in
the cemetery was first used, then the college building was used, and as we have a pictured of a real
typical American settlement which our forefathers were used to.
We must not forget the old “Camp Meeting” place which has been rightly called “God’s First
Temple” and which is decidedly a pioneer institution. Bosqueville had a camp down on the Bosque
near the springs, close to where Mrs. Shaw now lives. Those were the days when men and women
had more time than anything else and when three hours was not considered too long for a sermon,
three of which were delivered each day. Many a person in this community can remember how that they
camped out, a custom which was very natural and suitable to pioneer conditions. People were settled a
long distance from each other and there was no paper and no way of seeing or learning of each other
as there is now. The mails were far and few between, and a letter was a rarity. There was no daily
newspaper thrown into the yard by a delivery boy to keep people in touch with what was going on. No
wonder there was such a craving for society, friends, and acquaintances. The camp meetings satisfied
this want, and therefore let us not overlook the social phase of this institution.
Let us not over-value, too, the educational phase of the camp meeting. In our day, we have
speeches, papers, books, and radios, not only to entertain, but to inform us. In those days, instruments
of information were as rare as they now are plentiful. The preacher was usually the only man who had

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 3

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

news from civilization for the barren frontier. This mad him the herald of “Good News”. He was
teacher, newspaperman, history, post office, schoolbook, magazine, street corner, telephone,
telegraph, besides being a preacher. In it no wonder then, that the camp meeting was attended with
delight as the Mecca of society from many dreary miles away. People went away from these camp
meetings and carried with them material enough for fireside conversations for many a day.
These were the days full of doctrine of vigorous mold. Preachers and members had backbone and
sturdy character, which could subdue the wild frontier. Most people then knew why they were a
member of a certain denomination better than they do now, because the force about them made them
think seriously about life, religion and their problems. Conversions were more in number because the
attention was more easily gained, but all who claimed to be converted, of course, were not. In the early
days of Texas, the pioneer denominations were chiefly the Methodist, the Baptists, and the
Presbyterians. The Methodists were the first to organize a congregation in Waco in 1850 and to erect a
building in 1851 under the direction of Rev. Joe F. Sneed. This was a small structure on First and Mary
streets on the banks of the Brazos and for a ling time, this building was used by all denominations, and
in that day people came from all over the county to attend church there. When the Waco Church was
first organized, there were fifteen members, and while it is not our purpose to trace the history of the
Waco Methodist Churches, yet re-glean some satisfaction from a look at this church when we
remember that Bosqueville Methodist Church cam into being soon after the Waco Church.
Let us take up at this point a year-by-year history of the Bosqueville Methodist Church and
Community.

1830-40
Bosqueville community still is the property of the Indians. Men like Colonel George P. Erath, (For
whom Erath was named) and Neil McLennan, Sr., roamed over this territory.

1836
The Texas Revolution began and ended. Bosqueville territory was still wilderness in the hands of
the Indians.

1845
Texas becomes a part of the United States. By this time, the Waco and Bosqueville territory was
under the protection of troops dispatched by the government, but these troops were few and
protections was meager. Neil McLennan moved to the South Bosque Valley and completed his
homestead there in 1847.

1849
Waco Village was surveyed out into a city. The Waco Spring was used as a starting point, and the
main streets, Bridge Street, was run in a westerly direction from this point. The first main business
houses, (wood store buildings) were built along Bridge Street, and the Courthouse was placed
where the City Hall is now. This was the year of the great “Gold Rush” to California, but Texans
saw greater opportunities at home.

1850
Bosqueville was still the home of the Waco, Tehuacana, and Cherokee Indians. A man by the name
of Ben Moore settled in the valley of the Bosque (meaning “bushy”) River about this time. Major
George B. Erath had just surveyed Waco, and there were a few stores put up this year along Bridge
Street. This same year, the First Methodist Church in Waco was organized with Rev. Joseph F.
Sneed as the pastor. This same year, McLennan County was organized and named after Neil
McLennan, Sr. who had been one of the first settlers to settle in the county.

1851
Rev. Joseph F. Sneed and his fifteen members of the First Methodist Church in Waco built a church
in Waco near the Brazos River at First and Mary Streets. It was a board shanty. In this building in
the late spring, the Baptist people organized the First Baptist Church of Waco. For a few years,
they used the Methodist Church building, each having two Sundays.

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 4

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

Two villages were recognized then in the county: Bosqueville and Waco. There were three main
settlements: Waco, Bosqueville and Erath, and White Rock, (East of the Brazos). Preachers from
Waco began about this time to come to Bosqueville and preach there as yet there was no
organized church.

1852-53
(Notes from now on we shall take up each Conference Year, beginning in Nov., as in Nov. 1852
and running to the following October, as in October 1853, in this particular year).
Preaching services were held at various homes and localities in Bosqueville but the re was no
organized church

1853-54
Mr. J.H.Sparks, father of Mrs. Matt Steinbeck, moved to Bosqueville with his family about this time.
He as a Cumberland Presbyterian, but the soon began working for a community church. A log
schoolhouse was built where the cemetery now stands, and it was also used for religious services.
Two Methodist Circuit riders by the name of _________(sic) and Whit were among the first to
preach there.

Although there are no definitive records, it seems that in the latter part of 1853, the Methodist
Church of Bosqueville was organized, and the following year, 1854, a Rev. Mr. Solomon G.
O’Bryan organized the Baptist Church.

Rev. Mr. O’Bryan was also a schoolteacher and it seems that he was the first to use the old log
schoolhouse to teach in. Mr. J.H.Sparks was one of the trustees of the first school. This year,
1854, Bosqueville School District was created by the county-state law as the first school district in
McLennan County.

When Rev. O’Bryan organized the Baptist Church at Bosqueville, there were six males and two
females who became members on the fifth Sunday in November 1854, the date of organization.

1854-55
The small Methodist congregation at Bosqueville was gradually growing. At that early date, a
preacher could clear out a space in the woods and say he was going to hold a revival there, and the
people would come regardless of distance. Consequently, there were several places around
Bosqueville where meetings were held, but the two chief places were down on the Bosque River
near the springs, and in the grove of trees near where John Gorham now lives. John R. White was
sent to the Bosque Charge.

The first Presbyterian Church of Waco was organized in the year 1855.

1855-56
The Bosqueville Methodist congregation was gradually growing in numbers

The Waco Female College was organized in 1856 under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, with F.C. _______ as the first President. Other presidents that followed were, (in
order) Wm. M. Lambden, Wm. Pinkney Downs, F.P. Madden, R.F. Deckard, W.G. Connor, Sam P.
Wright, and R.O. Reunsavull. (These served between 1855 and 1892). This college was gradually
superceded by Southwestern University at Georgetown.

1856-57
The Bosqueville Methodist Church is still growing at this time.

In 1857, Dr. John F. Collier and Mrs. Dr. Rowe established the Bosqueville College, a Presbyterian
school. Gus Jenkins was one of the teachers of higher Mathematics. At one time it grew to the
enrollment exceeding three hundred, and Bosqueville was made famous as an educational center.
There was a seminary for the girls and a college of the boys.

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 5

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

For many years, all denominations used this college to preach in, and the log schoolhouse in the
cemetery was gradually abandoned.

1858-59
Bosqueville town was laid out about this time, and three stores, near where the present
schoolhouse is now, were built. Later a gin was built near where Mrs. Mary Ellen Gregory now
lives. The Methodist Church is still growing in numbers and spirit. Wm. M. Lambden was sent to
the Bosque Mission.

1859-60
Bosqueville’s school, church and town in general were growing. John Carpenter was sent to the
Waco Circuit and Colored Mission of which Bosqueville was a part.

1860-61
At the end of 1860, the population of Waco was 800, and the population of McLennan County was
5,200. Bosqueville College’s enrollment was large. In the spring of 1861, the Civil War began, and
Bosqueville College enrollment began to drop. Dr. Collier left to enter the war and the college was
finally abandoned.
The Methodist Church at Bosqueville was still growing. J.L. Crabb was pastor of the Waco Circuit
and Colored Mission.

1861-62
At this Annual Conference, which met in the fall of 1861, Mordecai Yell was appointed to the Waco
Circuit and Colored Mission. Isaac G. John was Presiding Elder under Bishop Barley. Bosqueville
was a part of the Waco Circuit. ON the whole circuit there were 105 white members and 19 colored
members.

1862-63
Mordecai Yell, (died in 1897) served a second year on the Waco Circuit

1863-64
Mizell becomes Preacher in charge of the Waco circuit and Colored Mission. J.W. Phillips was
Presiding Elder. At the Annual Conference in the Fall of 1863, there was no Bishop in the
President’s chair because the Bishop was occupied with War matters.
Solomon G. O’Bryan was new serving as president of the Bosqueville College.

1864-65
Mordecai Yell is sent back the second time as preacher and the Waco Circuit and Colored Mission.
L.B. Whipple was Presiding Elder and Rev. Andrew was Bishop. Bosqueville begins recuperation
from the War’s effects.

1866-67
In the fall of 1866, the Texas Conference was divided into the Texas Conference and the Northwest
Texas Conference, and Bosqueville fell in to the territory that would belong to the Northwest Texas
Conference. In the first session of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference, which met to send out
preachers for the first time, preachers were so scarce, that none could be sent to the Waco Circuit,
and it had to be supplied later. L.B. Whipple was Presiding Elder under Bishop Marvin.

1867-68
Over the Waco Circuit, J. Fred Cox became pastor in Charge (he died in 1891); L.B. Whipple was
Presiding Elder.

1868-69
Bosqueville now becomes a part of the Brazos Circuit with William D. Kidd as the pastor.

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 6

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

1869-70
Bosqueville was still on the Brazos Circuit. John F. Neil was the pastor in Charge.

On June 5, 1870, the Suspension Toll Bridge at Waco was completed. Ferries had been used up
to this time to cross the Brazos.

First Disciples of Christ Church was organized in Waco in 1870.

1870-71
Bosqueville was still on the Brazos Circuit. James Peeler was the pastor.

Texas was now on a boom. The old “Central” Railroad was built into East Waco from Bremond and
became the first railroad in this county. With the aid of the railroad, Waco began to grow rapidly.

1871-72
Bosqueville was still on the Brazos Circuit. Samuel D. Akin, (died in 1880), was pastor. Thomas
Standford was Presiding Elder under Bishop Marvin.

1872-73
Bosqueville was still on the Brazos Circuit. J.W.F. Noland, Pastor in Charge, Thomas Standford,
Presiding Elder under Bishop J.C. Keener.

1873-74
In the Northwest Texas Conference Journal for 1873, Bosqueville Charge is mentioned. This is the
only time Bosqueville has been listed without being linked to some other church. W.L. Kistler
pastor, (died 1877), W.G. Veal was Presiding Elder under Bishop Kavanaugh.

1874-75
Bosqueville now goes back into the Waco Mission. Samuel Paschal Wright (died in 1911) who had
been President of the Waco Female College became the pastor. W.G. Connor was the Presiding
Elder under Bishop McTyeire.

1875-76
Bosqueville now became the head of a work. A church was built where the present one now
stands, the old rocks about this present church being the foundation of the old church. It was a
long white structure with the pulpit about where the new church pulpit now is. A Mr. Ballew was the
contractor. W.T. Melugin was the first pastor in the new church. W.G. Connor was Presiding Elder
under Bishop Pierce.

1876-77
The old Methodist parsonage directly across the road from the Baptist Church today was built about
this time. W.T. Melugin was pastor; W.G. Connor was Presiding Elder under Bishop Pierce.

1877-78
W.T. Melugin was pastor for the third year. W.G. Connor was Presiding Elder under Bishop M.H.
Waighman.

1878-79
E.R. Barcus of South Bosque was pastor in Charge (died in 1896 and was buried at Standford
Chapel). Mrs. Dunnie Cobbs joined the church by Baptism.

1879-80
In the fall of the year 1879, Sam J. Franks came on the Bosqueville Circuit as preacher in Charge.
Thomas Standford was Presiding Elder under Bishop Horland N. McTyeire

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 7

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

1880-81
S.J. Franks remained on the Bosqueville Circuit as pastor.

1881 was a great year for McLennan County as three railroads, namely the Missouri, Kansas, &
Texas, the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe, and the St. Louis & Southwestern Railroads were
built across the country. Towns such as, McGregor, Moody, West, Eddy, Crawford, Elm Mott, and
Axtell were laid out and soon began to flourish.

Paul Quinn college was founded by the African Methodist Church in 1881. Hill’s Business College
was founded at Waco in 1881 with one teacher and one pupil.

1881-82
S.J. Franks was still pastor of the Bosqueville Circuit.

1882-83
Benjamin F. Gassaway became pastor of the Bosqueville Circuit. Rev. J. Lafayette (Fate) Walker
was pastor of the Baptist Church from 1882-85.

1883-84
Samuel P. Wright was pastor for the second time. L.M. Lewis was Presiding Elder under Bishop
Linus Parker. At this time, Bosqueville had more members enrolled in its Circuit than Waco Station,
Waco Circuit, or East Waco Circuit, and was second in the district only to Mexia Circuit.

1884-85
E.A. Bailey was Pastor in Charge (died in 1907), E.L. Armstrong was Presiding Elder under Bishop
H.N. McTyeire.

1885-86
J.H. Tremble (died in 1904) was Pastor in Charge; E.L. Armstrong was Presiding Elder. Y.M.C.A.
was organized in Waco.

1886-87
J.H. Tremble was Pastor in Charge; E.L. Armstrong was Presiding Elder under Bishop J.N. Keener.

1887-88
B.F. Gassaway was Pastor in Charge; S.P.Wright was Presiding Elder under Bishop A.W. Wilson.

1888-89
B.F. Gassaway was Pastor in Charge; S.P.Wright was Presiding Elder under Bishop E.R. Hendrix.

1889-90
J.P. Callaway was Pastor in Charge; S.P.Wright was Presiding Elder under Bishop J.S. Key.

1890-91
J.P. Callaway was Pastor in Charge; S.P.Wright was Presiding Elder under Bishop J.S. Key.

1891-92
J.P. Callaway was Pastor in Charge; R.C.Armstrong was Presiding Elder under Bishop O.P.
Fitzgerald.

1892-93
Charles Davis was Pastor in Charge; R.C.Armstrong was Presiding Elder under Bishop R.K.
Hargrove.

1893-94

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 8

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

Charles Davis was Pastor in Charge; R.C.Armstrong was Presiding Elder under Bishop A.W.
Wilson.

1894-95
B.F. Gassaway becomes pastor for the third different time on the Bosqueville Circuit. James Camel
was Presiding Elder under Bishop R.K. Hargrove.

1895-96
S.C. Littlepage was Pastor in Charge (died 1915); James Campbell, Presiding Elder under Bishop
W.W, Duncan.

1896-97
C.E. Gallagher was Pastor in Charge; James Campbell, Presiding Elder under Bishop J.C. Keener.

1897-98
C.E. Gallagher was Pastor in Charge; James Campbell, Presiding Elder under Bishop J.C.
Granberry.

In 1898, Marion, Isaac, and Burr Mills who gave most of the money for the building organized Mills
Chapel or Rock Creek Methodist Church. Marion and Isaac Mills were both Conference preachers
and Burr was a local preacher. This church and Bosqueville have been linked together several
times and enjoy a friendly cooperation.

1898-99
C.S. Cameron was Pastor in Charge; S.P. Wright, Presiding Elder under Bishop C.B. Galloway.

1899-1900
C.S. Cameron was Pastor in Charge; S.P. Wright, Presiding Elder under Bishop R.K. Hargrove.

1900-01
B.R. Belton was first sent as pastor but from the records it seems that he was made Presiding Elder
and W. Gilleland was made pastor (Brother Gilleland is now a superannuate preacher at
Georgetown).

1901-02
W.A. Gilleland was Pastor in Charge; B.R. Belton, Presiding Elder under Bishop A.W. Wilson.

1902-03
R.F. Dunn was Pastor in Charge; B.R. Belton, Presiding Elder under Bishop W.R. Hendrix.

1903-04
R.F. Dunn was Pastor in Charge; B.R. Belton, Presiding Elder under Bishop W.W. Duncan.

1904-05
G.L. Irvin was Pastor in Charge; J.G. Putman, Presiding Elder under Bishop E.E. Hess.

1905-06
G.L. Irvin was Pastor in Charge; J.G. Putman, Presiding Elder under Bishop E.E. Hess.

1906-07
W.B. Martin was Pastor in Charge; W.L. Nelms, Presiding Elder under Bishop E.E. Hess.

1907-08
B.H. Kennedy (died in 1909) was Pastor in Charge; W.L. Nelms, Presiding Elder under Bishop W.A.
Candler.

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 9

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

1908-09
Sterling Richardson was Pastor in Charge; W.L. Nelms, Presiding Elder under Bishop J.S. Key.

1909-10
W.H. Keener (who was now superannuated at Ennis) was Pastor in Charge; W.L. Nelms, Presiding
Elder under Bishop J.S. Key.

1910-11
J.M. McCarter (died in 1929) was Pastor in Charge; W.B. Andrews, Presiding Elder under Bishop
James Atkins.

In 1910, the Northwest Texas Conference was divided and two conferences were formed; the
Northwest Texas Conference and the Central Texas Conference. Bosqueville, of course, came
within the bounds of the Central Texas Conference.

Under Brother J.M. McCarter, a movement was launched to build a new church at Bosqueville.

We are sorry to relate that during this year, one of Brother McCarter’s children was accidentally
killed while playing near the parsonage.

1911-12
M.H. Bowden was Pastor in Charge; W.B. Andrews, Presiding Elder under Bishop James Atkins.

During this conference year, the present church building was erected due especially to the work
performed by the financial solicitation committee composed of Mrs. John Steinbeck, Mrs. George
Keas, Mrs. Mary Y. Giles, Mrs. Frank Washington, and Mrs. J.M. Bewley.

With all the members cooperating with the ladies, the beautiful church, which now stands, was
erected and paid for. In the same year, the old parsonage was sold and the new one built where it
now is.

1912-13
O.C. Swinney was Pastor in Charge; W.B. Andrews, Presiding Elder under Bishop James Atkins.

1913-14
N.E. Gardner was Pastor in Charge; W.B. Andrews, Presiding Elder under Bishop James Atkins.

Southern Methodist University was organized or founded.

1914-15
N.E. Gardner was Pastor in Charge; J.A. Whitehurst, Presiding Elder under Bishop James H.
McCay.

1915-16
W. Vinsant was Pastor in Charge; J.A. Whitehurst, Presiding Elder under Bishop James H. McCay.

1916-17
W. Vinsant was Pastor in Charge; J.A. Whitehurst, Presiding Elder under Bishop James H. McCay.

1917-18
W. Vinsant was Pastor in Charge; J.A. Whitehurst, Presiding Elder under Bishop James H. McCay.

1918-19
M.M. Smith was Pastor in Charge; J.W. Bergin, Presiding Elder under Bishop W.N. Ainsworth.

1919-20

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 10

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

T.L. Sorrells was Pastor in Charge; J.W. Bergin, Presiding Elder under Bishop W.N. Ainsworth.

1920-21
T.L. Sorrells was Pastor in Charge; J.W. Bergin, Presiding Elder under Bishop W.N. Ainsworth.
Before the end of the year, Brother Sorrells left and Rev. Willie Cole finished out his term.

1921-22
T.D. Ellis was Pastor in Charge; C.H. Booth, Presiding Elder under Bishop W.N. Ainsworth (Brother
Ellis later went to Eliasville).

1922-23
O.A. Morton was Pastor in Charge; C.H. Booth, Presiding Elder under Bishop James B. Dickey.
(Brother Booth is dead and Brother Morton is now pastor at Talpa-Crews).

1923-24
A.C. Carraway was Pastor in Charge; C.R. Wright, Presiding Elder under Bishop James E. Dickey.

1924-25
P.W. Lane was Pastor in Charge; C.R. Wright, Presiding Elder under Bishop James E. Dickey.
(Brother Lane is now a superannuary preacher at Gatesville)

1925-26
P.W. Lane was Pastor in Charge; F.P. Culver, Presiding Elder under Bishop James E. Dickey.

1926-27
J. Fred Patterson was Pastor in Charge; P.E. Riley, Presiding Elder under Bishop John M. Moore.
(Brother Patterson is now pastor of the Ben Brook-Brooklyn Churches at Ft. Worth)

1927-28
J. Fred Patterson was Pastor in Charge; P.E. Riley, Presiding Elder under Bishop John M. Moore.

1928-29
W.E. Harrell was Pastor in Charge; P.E. Riley, Presiding Elder under Bishop John M. Moore.
(Brother Harrell is now at DeLeon)

1929-30
M.W. Clark was Pastor in Charge; P.E. Riley, Presiding Elder under Bishop John M. Moore.
(Brother Clark is now in the Northwest Texas Conference)

1930-31
M.W. Clark was Pastor in Charge; A.D. Porter, Presiding Elder under Bishop Sam R. Hay.

1931-32
M.A. Turner was Pastor in Charge; A.D. Porter, Presiding Elder under Bishop Sam R. Hay. (Brother
Turner is now at Big Hill-Ben Hur)

1931-33
M.A. Turner was Pastor in Charge; A.D. Porter, Presiding Elder under Bishop Sam R. Hay.

1933-34
M.A. Turner was Pastor in Charge; A.D. Porter, Presiding Elder under Bishop Sam R. Hay.

1934-35
A.W. Ferrill was Pastor in Charge; W.W. Ward, Presiding Elder under Bishop H.A. Boaz.

1935-36

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 11

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

A.W. Ferrill was Pastor in Charge; W.W. Ward, Presiding Elder under Bishop H.A. Boaz.

Present Day Condition of the Bosqueville Methodist Church

The present condition of our church at Bosqueville is very satisfactory from a spiritual and material
standpoint. Several souls have been born into the Kingdom and many have been added to the church
roll by letter. The Sunday school attendance record showed a higher average last quarter than had
been reported in fourteen years. Nearly two hundred and fifty dollars have been spent on the
parsonage and church buildings, and they are in a good state of repairs now and will be in excellent
shape after they are painted.

However, we are far from perfect. The chief function of the Church is to save souls and then keep
them saved. When we look about us and see the lost, we are compelled to admit that there is much
more to do. May each of us pray and work toward a great harvest of souls this year.

Your pastor wishes to take this opportunity to thank each member and constituent for his or her fine
cooperation during the last two years

May God’s richest blessings rest with you.

Your Pastor,
Alton W. Ferrill (signed)

“There are two good rules which should be written upon every heart:
First, never believe anything bad about anybody unless you positively know that it is so; And,
Second, Never tell even that unless you feel that it is absolutely necessary, and that God is listening
while you tell it.”
--- Henry VanDyke

The Old Camp Meetin’

A history of Bosqueville Methodist Church would not be complete without mentioning the camp
meeting place down on the Bosque near where Mrs. Shaw lives. People came from miles around and
camped two and three weeks at a time around the arbor.

The old arbor had a clap-board roof which was made of boards split from logs by means of a flat
instrument called a fro. The floor of the arbor was covered with and abundances of straw. The
benches were made of logs, and later, slat benches with backs on them were used. At first, there was
no platform to speak from, and the pulpit consisted of two posts standing upright with a horizontal plank
across it. For lights, torches resembling the ones used by the highway department today were placed
around the tabernacle. Pine knots were not available.

The early pioneers believed in keeping order at the church. Brother L.M. (Cully) Layne says that
one night he attended a service at the old tabernacle and some boys created a disturbance in the rear.
The preacher immediately dispatched Layne and one or two others to go to the Justice of the peace at
Erath and file papers against them and have the arrested. They first went to Erath and after being
unable to find the Justice there; they rode to Speegleville and then back to Erath and then back to
Bosqueville with the papers. By the time they returned, the guilty parties had disappeared and have not
been heard of since.

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 12

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

To begin the day at the camp meeting, a sunrise prayer service would sometimes be held. There
would also be preaching at 10:30 or 11:00 in the morning, then again that night.

We must not forget the grove meeting, which were held just before services at night. The men,
women, and children each went in different directions into some enclosure in the woods. There they
would form a circle after a brief talk by the one appointed as leader for the night, each one would lead in
prayer. Testimonies would be called to the center of the circle. The Christians in the outer circle would
then kneel in prayer with those seeking salvation. Sometimes, there would be so many conversions
and the Holy Spirit’s presence would be felt so greatly that members of the grove meeting would come
back to the Tabernacle shouting and rejoicing so much that there would not be a preaching service by
the next two or three hours would be taken up with songs, praises, and exhortations.

Bosqueville’s Circuit Connections

Since Bosqueville has rarely if ever been able to support a full-time pastor, it has been linked with
various churches from time to time. In the 1850’s, it was served by various traveling evangelists.

About 1860, it was placed on the Waco Circuit, with the pastor living at Waco. This arrangement
continued until 1863 when it was placed on the Waco Circuit and Colored Mission. From 1865-8, it was
listed again under the name of Waco Circuit. From 1868-73, it was a part of the Brazos Circuit. From
the year 1873-4, Bosqueville Charge is given for the first and only time in the Conference Records. In
1874-5, It was a part of the Waco Mission. 1875, Bosqueville was made the head of a work called
Bosqueville Circuit. The parsonage was just across the highway from where the one now stands.
From 1875-1928, various churches, namely Wesley Chapel, Greenwood, Mt. Zion, Evergreen, Mills
Chapel (Rock Creek), Speegleville, Lakeview, Erath, have been linked with Bosqueville at various
times. Sometimes as many as four churches have been on the circuit at a time, but most the time,
Bosqueville had half time and was linked with tow quarter-time churches. In 1928, Bosqueville and
Hewitt, two half-time churches, were linked together and remained until 1934, when the parsonage was
again occupied at Bosqueville and it became the head of a work connected with Rock Creek and Axtell.
In April 1936, Axtell was dropped from the circuit, and the Rock Creek Church and Bosqueville Church
each have half time.

(Church Roll omitted here)

“Church letters are much like money in the bank; the names need to be on the books, and at the
same time, they should be working and drawing interest.”

Our Oldest Member

We must not forget to mention the oldest living member of our church; Mrs. Matt Steinbeck is now
ninety-four years old. Her greetings come to up today and in turn we wish her the best of happiness I
the years to come.

Although she is the oldest member of this church, she has not been a member of this church as
long as some others have. Our best wishes go to them too.

(Church Officers List omitted here)

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 13

 History of Bosqueville Methodist Church - Bosqueville, Texas

Transcribed by Amanda McNamara Hefner - 2001 14