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Valley Spring United Methodist Church


The Valley Spring United Methodist Church began as the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The congregation was formed in 1881. The original church house was built on land deeded (for the sum of one dollar) by Sarah Phillips to the trustees, Jas. M, Stevenson, L.B. Earnest, John Latham, F.M. Bourland, Jonas Dancer, James Riley, T.J. Bedford, and M.Y. Owen in trust for the use of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and "permit such ministers and preachers belonging to said church as from time to time shall be duly authorized to preach and expound God's Holy Word." Many Religious activities were held here; as when the church house was decorated for the festive double wedding of Elmo May and Lizzie Gephart; Charlie Gray and Nettie May.

In 1902 the church trustees, J.D. Owen, L.M. Spinks, and M.F. Gephart sold the church's land back to Sarah Phillips (for one hundred dollars). The old church on the hill was moved down and annexed to the one room school building in Valley Spring.

In 1902, M.G. Owen and wife, Phena, deeded (for seven dollars and fifty cents in hand) lots #3 and #4 of block #26, sixty feet by ninety feet in size, on Main Street, as shown on Plat of Valley Spring, Llano County, Texas, as laid off by D.J. Owen in survey issues to the German Emmigration Co. The land was deeded to the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, J.D. Owen, L.M. Spinks, M.F. Gephart and their successors in office. A new church house was built in 1903. The building was constructed of wood painted white, with a metal roof, bell and steeple over front doors in style typical of Texas country churches of that time. This simple wooden structure has been in continuous use as a Methodist Church.

The Methodist Episcopal Church South became Valley Spring Methodist Church and now Valley Spring United Methodist Church.