This article was copied from the April 23, 1967, Homecoming Bulletin.
We believe that all of you who are here today will be interested in reading this brief history.
The Grassyville Methodist Church organized in 1856 by the Rev. Edward Schneider, who came to Bastrop County in 1852, preaching in this county; then came to Grassy Fork to preach to the German settle living here. A parsonage was soon built for the pastor to live in. However, for a number of years, due to financial reasons the church services were held in various homes. Because of Civil War conditions the congregation built its first church building in 1868. It was called Grassy Fork Methodist Church, later changed to Salem Methodist Church, South, of Grassyville. A new parsonage was built at this new location and the lumber from the Grassy Fork church was used to build this new parsonage. This congregation became the second largest in the old German Conference of The Methodist Church, South, due to the deep and unswerving faith and their efficient methods in discharging their Christian duties to the church and God. Six Annual Conferences were held in this church. The first in 1876 and the last in 1903. The influence of this church has lived on in the lives of the descendants of those early Methodists now scattered in various parts of the United States and lives on in the lives of these descendants as strong laymen and ministers. Many people began to move away from the Grassyville area, sending the church into a decline, so in 1942 this church was joined with the Mesquite Methodist Church to form the Paige Methodist Church. Out of the old Grassyville church came eight Methodist preachers, some of whom became outstanding church leaders. This church has made its imprint on Texas and has had nationwide influence. Those of you who are here today can be proud of what this church has done. You are in the train of these facts.
The former Mesquite Methodist Church was the out-growth of two former Methodist Churches. Soon after the Civil War, because of needed language literature, a Methodist Episcopal Church was organized near the Grassyville area. After some years many members moved to the Dixon Prairie area. The church was also moved and in 1885 a church building and parsonage were built there. Many years later this church was torn down and moved to the Mesquite area. As members began to move away, this church, in 1942, was merged with the Grassyville Church to form the Paige Methodist Church. This church also has a splendid history. It gave direction and inspiration in leadership; many descendants of the early membership today hold leadership in the various churches and communities nationwide.