About us

OVERVIEW
The Union Memorial United Methodist  Church fellowship was organized more than 135 years ago by ex-slaves Davey Medlock and Sawney Henry. Union Memorial Church, is located at 414 LCR 180, Coolidge, TX 76635 and is ministering to multi-generations under the leadership of pastor/teacher Rev. Sylvester Key, II.  As a family or faith, we welcome those in the Mexia, Waco, Groesbeck areas and beyond to join us as we worship God, share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others and execute the business of the Kingdom with excellence.

OUR HISTORY

Sometime between 1870 and 1875, ex-slaves Davey Medlock and Sawney Henry settled in the north section of Limestone County and founded the Sandy Methodist Episcopal Church and Sandy Community.  However, the earliest written records that have been found are from the year 1877.  Sandy Methodist Episcopal Church with her sister churches Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal (Comanche Community) and Elm Methodist Episcopal constituted the Mexia Circuit.

Although no adequate record of membership for these churches in the early years is available, it is estimated that there were as many as 365 to 390 members with the circuit at one time.  The source of income in the early years was mainly agriculture; therefore, church dues, quota, and assessment were often collected seasonally.

The present church site was purchased by the Sandy Creek Graveyard, Church and School Land Association names on November 19, 1904.
On November 20, 1957 members of the Mexia Circuit voted to unite and become a station in charge to be named Union Memorial Methodist Church.  The Rev, James Garfield Owens (a Sandy native) presided as District Superintendent and the Rev. J.S. Loud was pastor.

In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church joined together to form the United Methodist Church.  After the Central Jurisdiction and the West Texas Conference, which had kept black churches segregated, were abolished, Union Memorial then became Union Memorial United Methodist Church.

Shortly after 1968, Union Memorial, Lawson Chapel (Hubbard) and Rocky Crossing became the Mexia Charge.  On February 2, 1992, Lawson Chapel merged with Union Memorial under the pastorage of the late Rev. Thelma Buchanan.  On September 19, 2004, Rocky Crossing United Methodist Church merged with Union Memorial under the pastorage of Rev. Louis Augustine, III. 

As we look forward toward the future we believe that God has a bright future for the Union Memorial Church. 

​

We believe that the BEST is YET to come!!