Gause, Milam County
It is believed that Methodist worship services in Gause occurred sporadically at first and by 1875 more regularly in the William J. Gause home. By 1877 services were held in the first Gause schoolhouse. Town namesake William J. Gause and his family counted themselves amongst the first members. Gause Methodist Church became known as Gause Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1887 to reflect the church's new membership in that denomination. The first recorded pastor of the church was J.C. Gidley. Other leaders during this time include W.F. Brinson, S.P. Brown, and J.W. Thompson. The New York and Texas Land Company conveyed a lot to the church trustees in 1895, and the first dedicated Methodist church structure was built the next year with the help of financier and contractor R.E. Watts. The church met in this structure until 1932 when a new building was constructed on the same lot with R.W. Hauptfleisch and W.B. Priddy hired as contractors. Members attending Gause Methodist Church for multiple generations include those of the Bonorden, Cochran, Covington, Critchfield, Dibble, Gaston, Gause, Goode, Harris, Hauptfleisch, Thomas, Varner, Walker and Wilson families and many others. In addition to services, the church congregation has served the community. In the early 1920s, member Fritz Hauptfleisch began a community homecoming even on Mother's Day. This tradition continued, alternatively hosted by Gause Methodist Church and Gause Baptist Church. In 1946, the church sponsored a Boy Scout troop. In the 1950s, the church hosted community "Dinners on the Lawn" and completed construction of an annex which served as a community center. Since its beginnings, the church has faithfully served the Gause Community.