Caddo UMC Celebrates 150 Years
BY JENNIFFER HENDRICKS
Caddo, Oklahoma, is located in north central Bryan County. It was named for the nearby Caddo Hills, site of an 1808 battle between the Caddo and Choctaw. The area was formally part of the Choctaw Nation. Caddo is the oldest town in Bryan County. It owed its growth to the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railway. The first track was laid in 1872.
A post office was established on December 19, 1872. Aaron Harlan built a store near Caddo. Sarah Ann Harlan and Susan Burks were co-founders of the First Methodist Episcopal Church South Caddo, Indian Territory, Blue County in 1873.
The church is currently in its third facility since its founding in 1873. The congregation celebrated 130 years in 2003, and on November 12, 2023 it celebrated its 150th anniversary with an 11:00 a.m.
service followed by a Thanksgiving feast.
The congregation is known to be welcoming, friendly, and loving. This church is part of the Durant-Caddo charge with Allen Carson- Durant pastor and Kerry Prince-Caddo. One of the missions of the church is to supply the Blessing Box located at the Caddo Community Building.
The highlight of the year is the 9 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight service where congregants gather to celebrate the birth of our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The last few years have been difficult and challenging due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Many in the congregation fell ill and many loved ones lost, but the church members look to the future and the blessed
HOPE in Jesus Christ. They strive to be the head, heart, and hands of Christ.
Kerry Prince, pastor, referenced Galatians 6:9 (NIV) in his message.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
We are thankful Sarah Ann Harlan, Sue Burks, and others that followed, who did not give up for here we are today, 150 years later.