A Condensed History

In 1844, Texas pioneers gathered in the home of Hance Baker in the Cedar Bayou community in East Harris County to organize a Methodist Church under the direction of Robert Alexander, presiding elder of the Galveston District.

Among the nine charter members were Moseley Baker, an attorney, and his wife. Captain Moseley Baker had commanded the largest company at the battle of San Jacinto and in 1845 became a Methodist minister. His plantation, Evergreen, on the bay near Cedar Bayou later became the home of Dr. Ashbel Smith.

By 1847, the Trustees had indentured, for the sum of $40, ten acres situated on the west side of Cedar Bayou stream. Hymns of praise resounded as the members cleared the timber to build the first log church. Brother J. S. Brooks especially remembered Harrison McLean singing “Amazing Grace”. Soon after, a Fourth of July meeting and barbecue was held for members and friends, including President Sam Houston. The church became the center of community activity and was known as Alexander Chapel.

During these early years various circuits were formed: Lynchburg, San Jacinto, Harmony Grove and Bay Mission. Cedar Bayou became the leading station on the circuit, and it later became Cedar Bayou Circuit with Lynchburg as a station. A Quarterly Conference of the Circuit was held at Judge Burnet’s residence near Lynchburg in 1854.

In 1855 a building committee was appointed for Cedar Bayou with Gilbert Brooks, chairman. Brooks and President Burnet had been partners in a sawmill at Lynchburg. Brooks had been detached by Sam Houston at San Jacinto to take Burnet and state documents to safety.

By 1856 Cedar Bayou Sabbath School had a superintendent, four teachers, thirty-five scholars, seventy-five volumes in the library and also fifteen black scholars.

The second church building was constructed in 1857 very near the log church. It was built of lumber with board siding, hand-hewn shingle roof, three windows on each side and a row of homemade benches on each side. The building was neither ceiled nor painted. Public school was also taught in this building. A parsonage was built soon after the completion of this second church.

Settlers came to church by horseback, wagon or boat. There were few buggies. Social life, consisting of basket suppers and all day picnics, revolved around the church. Camp meetings were held each summer, lasting several days. Members of the church engaged in brick-making, boating, farming and wood-cutting.

During the Civil War, many of the brethren joined the Confederate Army. Yellow fever spread through the community. After the Civil War, the brickyards prospered with as many as fourteen brickyards at one time. Many of the buildings in Galveston and Houston were built with Cedar Bayou brick.

By 1871 the Sabbath School had grown to thirteen teachers, eighty scholars, one superintendent and a small library. One acre of land was conveyed to the Masonic Lodge to build a meeting hall and public school. The board appraised the church property, 10 acres of land and the buildings at $400. In 1875 the burial ground was surveyed and laid out in lots.

In 1884 a third church was built on the site of the previous church. The material from the old building was used to remodel the parsonage. This church was painted inside and out and had new benches. The cost of improvement was $1,843; the parsonage was in good condition and without debt. The severity of the 1885 winter caused little to be done. The faithful few came, glad to hear the word of God.

In July of 1889 a great revival meeting was held under a brush arbor located on the church grounds. Sixty-six united with the church. The Epworth League for youth was authorized at the Annual Texas Conference in May of 1891, and six months later one was organized at Cedar Bayou. By the early 1900′s, the church reached out to the neighboring communities to provide them with Sunday School teachers and literature.

In 1909 the church was remodeled and a belfry installed. A watering trough and hitching rack were useful additions. The Sunday School grew to eighteen teachers and one hundred eighty-seven scholars. The name Alexander Chapel disappeared from the records about 1912.

During World War I many lives were lost to war and to a severe epidemic of influenza. In 1919 a nearby Baptist Church became inactive and the Methodist Church acquired their adjoining four acres. In 1924 a small parcel of land was deeded to J. C. Sjolander in trade for a light plant, water tank and a gasoline pump to furnish lights and water for the church and the Masonic Lodge.

Improvements during 1934 included hardwood floors, a new pulpit, chancel rail, stained glass windows and a paved driveway.

Early in 1942 a centennial committee planned a two year celebration. The centennial theme was “Together in Freedom’s Holy Cause”. A film depicting the first one hundred years was made and is still shown on special occasions.

Cedar Bayou Methodist Church, amid celebration, joined in our country’s defense. The Service Flag had some one hundred twenty stars. Fluorescent lights for the church were dedicated to members who lost their lives in World War II.

On July 9, 1944, the people of the community gathered for a “Day of Dedication”. First was the dedication of thirty-four live-oak trees, nine of which are planted in a circle to honor the nine charter members. A granite plaque within the circle bears the names of Dr. Robert Alexander and the known charter members. Twenty-eight stained glass windows and two doors, all previously installed, were accepted. A two week revival held in October, 1944 was an open-air meeting seating about 1,500 people. Homecoming with a basket lunch marked the close of the two year celebration.

In 1950 a new parsonage was dedicated in memory of Clarence Beulah Kilgore, a gift from her sons and daughter. In 1953 ground was broken for a new sanctuary. The first shovel of dirt was turned by John M. Kilgore, a faithful servant and church leader for over fifty-five years. His was the dream that lead other members to contribute to the building of this new sanctuary. Loa Lois McKinney turned the last shovel of dirt in memory of her great, great, great grandfather, Hance Baker, in whose home the church was organized. By 1959 there were nine hundred and eighty members.
A new organ was installed in 1971 and the Busch Family Center was dedicated in 1974, both gifts from Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Busch. In 1979 forty persons who had been members of this church for fifty years, or more, were honored at the morning worship service. A gift of Schulmerich “Americana” Carillons by Mrs. E. J. Gray was dedicated in 1981.

The church is located on fourteen wooded acres with several hundred feet of frontage on Cedar Bayou Stream. Improvements include a sanctuary, educational building, family center and parsonage; All of these buildings are constructed of Cedar Bayou red roman brick manufactured at the old Kilgore brick yard, one-fourth mile northeast of the church property. In the nearby cemeteries many of the early settlers and their descendants rest.