History of Cheatham Memorial Methodist Church
History of Cheatham Memorial Methodist Church
Our Journey Through Time
Cheatham Memorial Methodist Church traces its beginnings to the pioneer families of the 1840s and the founding of Edgewood in the 1870s. Journey with us through the key moments that have shaped our faith community, from a small wood-frame schoolhouse to the brick sanctuary we call home today.
Founding Era
1840s–1860s – Pioneer families arrive: Bundy, Blair, Cartwright, Martin, Starnes, Howell and other pioneer families settle near what becomes Edgewood, bringing early Methodist roots to the area.
1870 – Slaughter family settles near future Edgewood: John Rufus and Alice Amanda Slaughter arrive; their descendants later play key roles in the church’s life and its eventual name, “Cheatham Memorial”.
1873–1878 – Railroad and Edgewood founded: The Texas & Pacific Railway is completed through Van Zandt County (1873), a new shipping point is established, and the town of Edgewood is laid out in 1878 on the “edge” of the East Texas timberline.
April 19, 1879 – Church land granted: Texas & Pacific Railway grants Lot 7, Block 27 in Edgewood for a church and school for the sum of one dollar, marking the formal birth of the Methodist church in Edgewood.
Fall 1879 – First church‑school building: A 20×30‑foot wood‑frame church‑school is built on that lot, the first church building in Edgewood.
Growth and New Buildings
1884 – Cheatham family becomes charter members: W. B. Cheatham and family join the young congregation, and by this time membership reaches 19.
1893–1895 – Second church‑school building: Under Pastor Towns, the first structure is torn down and replaced with a two‑story frame church‑school on the same lot.
1897–1898 – “Church in the Wildwood” and written records: Under Rev. Caleb H. Smith (“Uncle Calip”), church and school separate; a new frame church is built near Oak Hill Cemetery (the “Church in the Wildwood”), and the first written church records begin in 1897.
1899 – Home Mission Society organized: Miss Mollie Humphries and Mattie Cheatham York organize the Home Mission Society, which eventually becomes today’s United Methodist Women.
Edgewood Station and Brick Church
1906–1909 – Edgewood Circuit and parsonage: Under Rev. Jim W. Cullen, the church becomes the Edgewood Circuit and “half station” with its own parsonage.
1910–1919 – Three‑quarter and then full‑time station: Under Rev. W. R. White (1910–1912), the church becomes a three‑quarter‑time station, and under Rev. J. L. Ross (1918–1919) it becomes a full‑time “Edgewood Station” church.
January 1923 – Tithing revival and decision to build: Rev. J. Harvey Carlin leads a two‑week stewardship meeting; the church decides to build a new brick sanctuary and adopts tithing as its financial foundation.
March–June 1923 – Construction and cornerstone: Excavation begins March 29; forms for the foundation go up April 2; the cornerstone is laid June 24, 1923, with a history, membership lists, and newspapers sealed inside.
May 1923 – Temporary floor collapse (no deaths): During a planned cornerstone event, a temporary sanctuary floor collapses into the basement; many are injured, but all survive, and the building is completed and strengthened.
September 16, 1923 – First service in brick church: The first worship service is held in the new three‑level brick sanctuary on what is now the current church site (Lots 7 and 8, Block 26, donated by Ned and Lily Dale Cheatham).
Cheatham Memorial and Present Sanctuary
1953 – Fifth building and new name: In January, the congregation votes unanimously to construct a new Belgium‑style brick sanctuary and education building on the same site, at an estimated cost of about $33,000.
April 19, 1953 – Groundbreaking: Ground is broken with Scripture, hymn singing, and participation from church leaders, including Ned Lane Cheatham and the oldest living member, Mrs. C. E. Dodson.
Late 1953 – Cornerstone and opening of present sanctuary: The “Cheatham Memorial Methodist Church” sanctuary is completed, named in honor of Ned Cheatham’s $10,000 memorial gift in memory of his wife, Lily Dale; the cornerstone is sealed with histories, photos, and bulletins, and open house and dedication are held that fall.
Recent Milestones
1976 – Historical recognition of Humphries House: The 1894 Humphries home, closely tied to early church leaders, receives a Texas Historical Building Medallion, highlighting the church’s role in Edgewood’s heritage.
1991 – “Miss Hope Cheatham Day”: The church celebrates the 100th birthday of Winifred Hope Slaughter Cheatham with a special Sunday and new choir robes given in her honor.
October 2014 – 135th Anniversary: Cheatham Memorial UMC celebrates 135 years (1879–2014) and publishes “A Legacy of Faith” to preserve and share the church’s story.
March 15, 2020: Cheatham broadcasts worship live for the first time due to Covid-19 restrictions.
June 7, 2020: Sanctuary reopens and has in-house worship once again after Covid-19 restrictions are lifted by Bishop Jones. Live broadcast continues for shut-ins, those on vacation and who are not living in Edgewood.
January 1, 2023: Cheatham Memorial United Methodist Church officially disaffiliates from the United Methodist Church and joins the Global Methodist Church over doctrine and social issues.
Voices from Our Community
Real stories of faith and fellowship at Cheatham Memorial From Throughout The Ages.
