Hardy Memorial Church Texarkana

110 YEARS 1892-2002

Published in the issue for Spring & Summer 2002. More details in the publication.

Twelve people chartered the church in 1892. A young preacher, named Wilson, who was pastor of the Fairview Methodist Church on the Arkansas side, preached to the group while they sat on orange crates and apple boxes.. Larger quarters were needed, and in 1893 the group moved to a store building on Buchanan Avenue. In 1894, Captain F. M. Henry donated a lot on Phenie Avenue on which a small building was constructed. The church continued at this location until Dr. Timons, pastor of the State Line Methodist Church, appointed a committee to sell the property on Phenie Avenue and build a church on Rose Hill.

Several years later, when Charles Hughes was pastor, the name of the Rose Hill Methodist Church was changed to Hardy Memorial Methodist Church in honor of the founding pastor, Rev. G. C. Hardy and his son “Buck”. The Rev. J. Ed Morgan came in 1909 and his pastorate of four years was outstanding. After the pastorates of Rev. C. T. Cummings, Rev. Jesse Lee and Rev. A. T. Walker, the congregation soon overflowed the little white sanctuary.

After Rev. J. T. Moore became pastor, a large brick sanctuary and church was constructed by Mr. John McGraw, contractor, at West Seventh and Sherman Streets. It was finished in 1919 and served for 40 years. In 1939.

The present sanctuary is located at West Seventh and Whitaker and was built in 1958.

On Sunday March 10, 2002, Hardy Memorial United Church celebrated its 110^th Anniversary . Submitted by Betty Meador Sharp