Recall the echoes of hymns carried on the wind. They whisper stories of faith that took root here at the Oaklawn United Methodist Church Plaque. This plaque commemorates the humble beginnings of a church that has grown into a pillar of the Oak Lawn community.
In the early 1870s Oak Lawn was a small farming community. It lacked many things including a formal place of worship. But that didn’t stop Reverend Marcus H. Cullum. He was an Oak Lawn settler. Cullum began preaching to his neighbors under the shade of oak trees. These trees overlooked Turtle Creek. He had moved from Tennessee in 1873. He arrived with his wife and eight children.
In 1874 a significant event shaped Oak Lawn Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The Dickason-Sale family donated land for a church-schoolhouse. This act of generosity provided a permanent home for the congregation. Neighbors joined together. They erected a simple one-room building. On September 20, 1874 Reverend Cullum preached the first sermon. The worshipers sang Amazing Grace. This marked the official founding of the Oak Lawn Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
The little building served multiple purposes. It was a church on Sundays. It was a schoolhouse on weekdays. It was a community center at all times. The modern Oak Lawn community grew up around this church.
As the congregation grew, so did their needs. In 1889 a new wood-frame church was built. It featured two spires. It also had a small choir loft. A foot-pump organ provided music. The church even had central heating which was a pot-bellied stove. Open windows provided air-conditioning. The ministers preached from a lectern. Remarkably that lectern is still in use today.
The church ordered a Buckeye Bell from Ohio. It was guaranteed for two years against breakage. Over 100 years later, it is still in use in the church bell tower.
By 1911 the congregation needed even more space. The building was moved to make way for a new brick church building. This new structure included a bell tower. It also had beautiful art-glass windows and a lovely organ. Construction finished in 1915. Additions were made in 1928 and 1950. The result is the block-long building we see today.
Today Oak Lawn United Methodist Church is a beautiful Gothic-Revival landmark. It is recognized by the City of Dallas, the State of Texas and the National Register of Historic Places. The church has grown from 20 members in 1874 to over 2,000.
Oak Lawn United Methodist Church continues to evolve. It is a diverse and welcoming congregation. All are seen as beloved Children of God. The church affirms and welcomes everyone. It also advocates for justice for all. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of community and faith. The Oaklawn United Methodist Church Plaque is more than just a marker. It symbolizes the spirit that built this church. It is a legacy that continues to inspire.