Lyford United Methodist Church began as three separate congregations, the Methodist Episcopal Church North, the Swedish Methodist Church, and the Methodist Church South.

The Methodist Episcopal Church North was organized in Oct. 1909 under the leadership of Dist. Superintendent James Herrey. They met in Pioneer Hall, a community building. The congregation was served by various visiting and local preachers until its official appointment listing in Dec. 1911. Rev. Marsh came from Harlingen in 1911 and was the first regular pastor to be recorded in the minutes of the Gulf Conference Dist, of Texas. The women of this congregation soon organized and, at their very first meeting, made plans to build a Ladies Aid building. The first Methodist Sunday School was begun in 1913 and members were soon invited to a picnic at the Swedish Methodist Sunday School of the Turner Tract.

The Swedish Methodist congregation was officially organized on July 4, 1915, with 12 charter members, Rev. A. Wikstrom of the Turner Tract community serving as their regular pastor. In 1926 the Turner Tract Swedish Methodist Church and the Lyford Methodist Episcopal Church realized that a combined membership would be far better in the building of His Kingdom. Combined, they met in the Lyford Ladies Aid building while Rev. O.W. Johnson of the Swedish congregation served as pastor.

In 1926 the Rev. Harry Peacock became the pastor of the newly organized Methodist Church South. This congregation first met in the high school and later in their own building, 1 1/2 blocks west and 1 block north of the depot. In 1937 this congregation sponsored talks on "The Evils of War," and a choir was organized by C.C. Simpson, dated Nov. 19, 1937, the Pastors Report of the first Quarterly Conference included this most important statement: the Methodist Episcopal Church North and the Methodist Church South were consolidated into one the Lyford Methodist Church.

100th anniversary plans near completion

Nov. 7 and 8 special gathering and worship service in recognition of the Lyford church's 100th birthday.

Banquet reservations need

Please contact one of the persons listed with names of those who will be attending. Alden & Katy Johnson - 16986 FM 2629, Lyford, TX 78569 (956) 743-5590; Bea Nyquist P.O. Box 304, Lyford, TX 78569, (956) 347-3220, bea0034@ prontonet.net; Rev. John Smith P.O. Drawer H, Lyford, TX 78569, (956) 460- 5532.