Hughes Cedar Hill Chapel Church

Was William H. Hughes truly near death’s door? The Paris Morning News certainly thought so in October 1916. Here at the Hughes Cedar Hill Chapel Church, the legacy of “Uncle Buck” Hughes, as he was affectionately known, intertwines with the very fabric of Dallas County’s history. The Hughes Cedar Hill Chapel Church stands as a testament to not only his spiritual guidance but also the pioneering spirit of his entire family. Hughes, a Methodist minister, tirelessly rode across Dallas and neighboring counties, nurturing the faith of early settlers. His nearly ninety years, if he lived to January, were filled with preaching on Sundays and farming the rest of the week. He was a living chronicle of the area, witnessing events like the great flood of 1866, where floodwaters reached Ross Avenue, dramatically altering travel routes. While the Hughes Cedar Hill Chapel Church carries his name, it’s crucial to note that he is credited with founding Cochran Chapel Methodist Church. His influence rippled through the community, shaping its spiritual landscape. The Hughes family itself was a cornerstone of early Dallas County. Reverend Hughes was one of seven siblings who settled in the area. Their names grace streets, neighborhoods, and landmarks, etching their presence into the local geography. Nancy Hughes Cochran, his sister, donated the land for Cochran Chapel Methodist Church, another enduring testament to the family’s commitment to faith. The Hughes family’s history is woven into the story of Dallas County, their legacy echoing in the names of places and the continued existence of the churches they founded. Though Uncle Buck rests in Greenwood Cemetery, his spirit, and that of his pioneering family, lives on at the Hughes Cedar Hill Chapel Church and across the county they helped to build.