“Lexington United Methodist Church” a name resonating with history echoes through time. Lexington United Methodist Church’s story begins in the early 1800s. It starts with Reverend Jefferson Shook’s move to Texas. His father had received 320 acres of land in Galveston County.
Jefferson and his three brothers were ordained to preach early Methodism in Texas. His nephew John Wesley Shook later moved to Pearl Texas. This was in Coryell County in 1875. John Wesley and his wife opened their home. It served as a place for the organization of the Methodist Church.
Wesley became ordained in 1887. He traveled across communities on horseback. He carried a handwritten hymn book with him. A quote describes him well. “With a gun in one hand and a Bible in the other he brought comfort and cheer to many lonely men and women.” Many hymns sung today come from this book.
During the establishment of Lexington Methodist Church there were four other Methodist Churches nearby. Reverend Shook also erected the Liberty Methodist Episcopal Church. This was south of Lexington in the 1850s. It disbanded in the 1930s. Its congregation joined the Lexington Church.
Tanglewood Methodist Episcopal Church was small. It was erected in the 1930s. A population decline caused it to disband. The Tanglewood School merged with Lexington School. The land and church were sold. The Lexington Methodist Church received the profits.
The Early Chapel Congregation was established in the 1850s. Due to declining membership it moved to the Lexington church in 1927. Reverend Jacob Ott established the German Methodist Church in 1882. It disbanded and merged with Lexington Methodist Church in 1939.
During the late 1900s the Blue United Methodist Church was erected in Blue. This is just west of Lexington. This church remains a sister church today. Lexington United Methodist Church has faced many changes. Yet the Lexington United Methodist Church remains a steadfast beacon. It stands tall in the community even after 150 years.
In 1961 Lexington had many young children. There was no public kindergarten. There were only two nursery schools. Lexington Methodist Church members wanted to sponsor a kindergarten program. It would be in the new education wing. It aimed to offer high quality affordable education.
Methodist Weekday School opened in September 1962. It started as a private kindergarten. It later included a preschool program. This met community needs. When Lexington Public Schools offered kindergarten the school dropped its private program. It continued as a preschool. It served children ages two years nine months to kindergarten age.
In June 2017 Lexington United Methodist Church stopped operating as a worshiping congregation. The Weekday School became incorporated in Massachusetts. It became “My Weekday School Inc.” Today it continues its original mission. It provides the best early childhood education at an affordable price. The school remains close to its founding principles. It meets each child as an individual. It helps each child grow and learn. It creates an exciting and joyful experience.