Hedley Methodists celebrating 100 years

The Hedley First United Methodist Church is holding their 100th Anniversary on October 9, 2005, during the annual Hedley Cotton Festival. 

The church will hold a Fellowship Singing on Saturday night, October 9, at 7:00 p.m.  The regular church services will begin Sunday at 11:00 a.m. with a great dinner and fellowship afterwards.

In 1904, Rowe Mission, the forerunner of the Hedley Methodist Church, was started in Rowe, Texas, according to “A Century of Methodism in the Eastern Texas Panhandle” by Darlene Birks of the Pampa District.  Prior to 1904, circuit riders held services there and in 1903 Charles W. Foote, father of Dr. Gaston Foote, former pastor of the Pampa First Methodist and White Deer Methodist, was one of the visiting circuit riders.

This church was later moved to the new township of Hedley and records indicate that Rev. J.B. Wood, a circuit preacher serving on the extreme outposts, was the organizer of the church in 1907.  According to the Hedley Informer of June 28, 1912, groundbreaking services were held to start the basement.  The church was nearly finished in December 1912 and on May 2, 1913, the District conference and Sunday School Institute were held in the church.  According to the Hedley Informer of May 9, 1913, the Hedley citizens “royally” entertained the Conference delegates.  The delegates were met at the train by autos and carried to the homes assigned them, showing that not only were their homes open to them, but conveyances were also at their services.

Throughout the years, the Hedley Methodist Church has sponsored nearly everything from ice cream suppers to dinners for soldiers, to revivals and conferences. The church in the past up through the 1960s and 1970s had standing room only with about 250 members, and today they proudly support 20 wonderful members, some of whom grew up in the church.

The public is invited to help the members celebrate their 100 years of Christ.