According to the HANDBOOK OF TEXAS, the town of Riverside was named for its location on the Trinity River above Huntsville. The town was settled in 1872 with the completion of a bridge over the river for the International-Great Northern Railroad. By 1884, the post office had been established along with a gristmill, two hotels, and a population of 200. The population dwindled to about 50 persons by 1914 but was reported at 300 in 1933 and 1949. It was the site of a fuller's earth plant, seven businesses, two schools, and three churches in 1949.

As people began filling up the town, the Methodist circuit riders were not far behind. Although the journals of the Texas Annual Conference did not indicate a house for public worship in the late 1800's, the did report that there were several preaching "appointments" on the Huntsville Circuit one of which may have been in the vicinity of Riverside. By 1906 it is stated that the congregation was served by the Rev. J. B. Nutter, the pastor of the Dodge Circuit, in the Huntsville District. We can assume that pastors following Rev. Nutter would care for the needs of the Riverside locals even as the population declined in the early 1900's.

With the influx of new residents in Riverside, the Conference leadership decided to appoint Rev. C. E. Garrett to the Riverside charge in 1931 to make it a "station" church. He remained there three years and built up the work. In 1934, we find that the appointment is listed as "LOVELADY-RIVERSIDE" where the pastor, Rev. Paul Horton, would share his time between the two places. The records are unclear as to the pastoral leadership for the remainder of the decade but they do reveal that in the 1940's the following pastors served Riverside as a part of the Lovelady-Riverside Charge: A. L. Comer, E. C. Schmidt, W. Kennon Tomme, Herbert Graves, C. W. Hearon, and Elton Elrod.

Riverside Charge stands alone once again with Paul W. Blake and Charles I. Fay being the pastors from 1948-50. Riverside took on NEW WAVERLY as part of the charge from 1951-53 with pastors Henry Alloway, Walter Klingle, and Robert Hillendamp. The 1954 Journal lists the charge: "SHIRO-RIVERSIDE" with Grover Newman, Alfred P. Ahlman and Charles L. Shadle appointed for one year each until 1957. For 1958-60 the name of the charge returned to "NEW WAVERLY-PHELPS" under the leadership of Pat Malone and John Carr.

Beginning in 1961, we find the charge listed as "RIVERSIDE-PHELPS" once more under the following pastors; 1960-61, John Birkelbach; 1962, Robert E. Denker: 1963, Jerry D. Edwards; 1964-66, Louis N. Murry; 1967-68, Thomas D. White; 1969-70, Kenneth Houghton.

Since the beginning, the Riverside Charge had been part of the Huntsville District; but in 1971, the Conference changed its structure deleting that district and placing its churches in others. Since that time, Riverside has been an "extended" appointment to "TRINITY" which is just to the north of the river. The pastors in the 1970's encluded Derwood L. Bristow, W. Raleigh Hooper, E. J. Martin, Stanley Y. Nabona and Wayne A. Rhodes. In the decade of the 1980's, our pastors were Clarence R. House and Randall F. Warren. Bill B. Hedges was appointed to the church in 1990 and was followed by Joe Ed Lamb in 1993.

The official journals give scant statistics concerning the number of members during the early years of the Riverside Congregation. Historians in the late 1800's and early 1900's only recorded the data for the "circuit" as a whole, thus leaving out the particulars that would lend themselves to the rich history that is ours. We can assume that our early forebearers worshipped together in one place when a preacher came by. The town's leading citizens, whose names have appeared on businesses and properties in the community, would have been among those who helped the Methodist throughout the years.

In recent times, the real story of faith and fidelity is found among present members of our congregation. Our oldest member, Mr. John Yelverton, died in 1993 at the age of 97. He was a constant reminder to all of his faith in Christ and what our love should be toward our beloved church. Our historian, Mrs. Vernon Schuder, herself a long-time member and leader in almost every phase of our church life, can still relate many interesting stories about our past. History comes alive for us each time she sits at the piano on Sunday mornings to play the hymns as she has for many years.

Lay leadership has been passed around among the church members including "Mr. Hugh McLeod, Ben Elrod, Frank Flynn, Richard Larsen and Warren Austin". Most of the time the work of the ministry has been accomplished by a "committee of the whole", with members' families joining in the worship, study, fun and fellowship of congregational life. In the past few years, the church has "come alive" with new vigor as new people have moved in and caught our vision of what we can become as a church dedicated to the kingdom of God in Christ. Our families have worked to repair our sanctuary, beautify the grounds, provide a parking lot, and have just recently completed the beautiful stained glass windows.

We have extended our ministry to the community by hosting an annual Easter Sunrise Service overlooking Lake Livingston. Other ministries include holiday baskets for needy families and private instruction for those who wish to learn to read. The Palestine District Superintendent, Dr. David Williamson, presented our congregation with the prestigious "Award of Excellence" in 1992 for revitalizing the church through our dedicated work and witness.

In summary, we thank God for those who have found their way to Riverside United Methodist Church in the past: our pastors, superintendents, and bishops. Most of all, we give thanks for our members, past and present, who have made us into a people called "Methodist" who have a mature faith, hearts full of caring love, and an indomitable spirit that moves us ever onward toward the 21st Century and beyond.

HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

The previous pages containing history of this beautiful old church were collected by a fine minister that was instrumental in helping me recognize the calling from God to be his servant. He was and still is an inspiration to all that know him.

After Reverend Hedges left our church in 1993, going to a church in Houston, we welcomed a very energetic and personable minister. His name was Reverend Joseph Edward (Joe Ed) Lamb. During his three years as our minister, we built a fellowship hall that has been an asset and meeting place for the entire community. The organizations that are meeting there include a craft group, a garden club, and the girl scouts. State and federal elections are held there, and we welcome everyone that wants to tour our grounds and church.

In January 1997, after completing Local Pastor's School, I was appointed as an associate Pastor to Riverside United Methodist Church and remained in that capacity until Rev. Lamb retired in December 1997. I became the Pastor of the Charge in January 1998.

In 1998, we built a Memorial Gazebo that has added to the beauty of our grounds. The same year we also completed our prayer garden that has been a blessing for all of us.

We just erected a new lighted church sign that we are able to print our sermons and special service titles on. This will also be an asset to the community as everyone that passes will know what is going on in this place, The Lord's House. The cap or top plate of the sign will be installed soon to give it a look more befitting the architecture design of the church.

A closed circuit video system has been installed and computers up-graded to make business as usual work more efficiently. We have outgrown the small office in the church so construction is now under way for a new office area and conference/Sunday school room.

We continue to grow and our membership has increased as we continue our work for the Glory of God.