Location: US Hwy. 183 right-of-way, May, Texas
| Methodists in this area were initially
served by circuit-riding preachers. First to come to the
region in the 1860s was the Rev. Hugh M. Childress, and
worship services were held in private homes. In 1882, the
Rev. Peter Gravis organized Mt. Zion Methodist Church,
which later merged with the congregation at Byrds. Both of
these communities, along with Bethel, Brooks, Clio, Gap
Creek, Green’s Chapel, Holder, Pleasant Valley, Rocky,
Shrum, Verbena, Williams, Windham and Wolf Valley became
part of the May charge. Brush arbor revivals were held
each summer. The May Methodist Church was formally organized in 1886. Members gathered for services in nearby Verbena until 1890, when they began meeting in the newly constructed May schoolhouse. Four years later, members built their own one-room church, which served until they constructed a new brick building with memorial stained glass windows in 1929-30. After 70 years of service, the church building was destroyed by fire in January 2000. Throughout its history, the May United Methodist Church has upheld the ideals and traditions of its pioneer founders. Despite the Depression, |