First United Methodist Church of Archer City, Texas, traces its roots to the year 1880. The first church was classified as Archer Mission, and defined as all of Archer and part of Jack Counties, an area so large that the pastor traveled a circuit in addition to ministering to the 35 members of the Archer City church. By 1900, the membership had grown to more than 200, and they had managed to acquire both a sanctuary and a parsonage. To better serve the needs of an active congregation, a larger facility was built and dedicated in 1922. Membership in 1935 had increased to more than 350 persons. The church provided a social as well as spiritual hub for its members during The Great Depression years and continued its commitment to mission support.

When the country had survived World War II, the Methodists began to plan for a new church complex. The chapel, a gift from Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Taylor, was built in 1951. With members of the congregation contributing much volunteer labor, the education building was completed in 1955. These structures serve the needs of the current pastor, Rick Davis and 248 members today.

Methodist fellowship includes music, fun and food. Children’s classes, youth groups, men’s and women’s groups all enjoy pot luck meals, ice cream suppers and The Lord’s supper together. Breaking bread together does indeed strengthen the tie that binds us together, then sends us apart to be God’s people. Amen.

–Submitted by Louise Andrews

Pastors, past and present

The First United Methodist Church of Archer City has been blessed with many leaders over the past 120 years of its existence.  Below is a complete list of each Pastor who has served her, along with the number of years served.  We offer a special “thank you” to them and their families, for their time of devotion and sacrifice.

• 1881-1881 D. D. Duncan
• 1882-1885 I. N. Crutchfield
• 1885-1887 Lee B. Ellis
• 1888-1890 E. D. Cameron
• 1892-1893 I. S. Smith
• 1893-1894 J. M. Langston
• 1894-1896 Guy A. Jamieson
• 1896-1899 F. O. Miller
• 1901-1906 T. N. Weeks
• 1906-1907 A. P. Johnston
• 1907-1909 A. C. Julian
• 1909-1910 E. L. Harris
• 1910-1912 H. H. Liles
• 1912-1913 J. W. Griffin and J. W. Beck
• 1913-1914 J. R. Wages
• 1914-1917 I. S. Asburn
• 1917-1918 M. P. Hines
• 1918-1920 W. R. McCarter
• 1920-1922 W. S. Dabney
• 1922-1924 B. B. Hall
• 1924-1925 C. H. Russell
• 1925-1927 Frazier Smith
• 1927-1929 C. W. Thomas
• 1938-1940 J. Sam Barcus
• 1940-1944 Ben Ball
• 1944-1946 Fred Adams
• 1946-1948 W. W. Pitman
• 1948-1952 Sam P. Farlar
• 1952-1955 Elden H. Cole
• 1929-1931 Pat Moreland
• 1931-1933 L. D. Shawver
• 1933-1936 Earl J. Patton
• 1936-1938 O. P. Kiker
• 1955-1957 Earl J. Patton
• 1957-1959 J. H. Westbrook
• 1959-1962 Lindley Vowell
• 1962-1965 Kirk Beard
• 1965-1967 John Earl Taylor
• 1967-1967 Jerry Bates
• 1967-1968 William E. Peterson
• 1968-1970 Merwin Turner
• 1970-1971 Michael Jackson
• 1971-1973 Jack Myers
• 1973-1974 Johnnie Haney
• 1974-1980 Don S. Youngblood
• 1980-1984 Woodrow Weilage
• 1983-1988  John Dillard
• 1988-1989 Raymond Butts
• 1989-1993 Wally Williams
• 1993-2000 Willie Johnson
• 2000-2002 Jenni Karrer
• 2002-Present Rick Davis