Blanton's Chapel Methodist Church
West of Leonard

Blanton Chapel Church Will Mark 100th  Year
By Mrs. Guy Christian
{written in 1972}

      LEONARD- The 100th anniversary of the Blanton Chapel United Methodist Church will be observed here on August 13.
     The chapel was founded in 1872 just west of Leonard by Benjamin F. Blanton.
     Although damaged by a severe storm in 1917, it was rebuilt with much of the original lumber put back in the present building.
     It carries on the face of the structure a Fannin County Historical marker put there eight years ago by the Fannin County Historical Survey Committee.
     On   August 13, Rev. Henry Mood, Sherman district superintendent, will be the guest speaker at the morning worship service.  Services will be followed by a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
     That afternoon, a special music program will be given. Rev. Gene Gordan will be speaker.  Mrs. Jo Nita Hancock Nash of Bonham and Mrs. Freda Ann Hancock Riley of Princeton, great granddaughters of Benjamin Blanton, will give historical background on the Blanton Chapel Church.
     Preceding the centennial observances, a revival from August 6-11 will be held at 8 p.m. each night.  Evangelist Gordon will conduct the services.
     Benjamin was born in the late 1830’s in North Carolina in a family of 11.  He married Sarah L. Boone, daughter of pioneer Joseph Boone, and they reared a family of 14.
     After the close of the Civil War, Benjamin Blanton bought land west of Leonard where his family settled.  The land deed bears the signature of Gov. John Ireland.  Some of the land in the original plot is owned by a granddaughter and grandson, Mrs. Dan W. Hancock and Lois Blanton.  The land adjoins the church’s upkeep.
     The members in organizing were Blanton, his wife, Sarah, John A. and Betty Bullock, Sarah and Andy Key, and Zantipee McCallister.
     In 1895, the church property was accepted by the North Texas Conference of the Methodist Church.
     In April 1917, the chapel was damaged by a severe storm.  The rectangular building which had been added on to from the original building  was torn down and rebuilt.  Much of the original lumber was used in the present building.
     A. H. Henry was Sunday school superintendent at the church for over 30 years.  Marion Carpenter directed singing at the chapel for about 50 years. 
    At present, Rev. George Wilcoxson is minister of the church.  Ralph Williams is church school superintendent; Wren Grimes, church secretary; and Jimmy Connelly, song leader.
     The oldest living member of the church is Mrs. Bud Wilson who will be 95 years old in October.  She is now a resident of Mullican Nursing Home.  Other long-time members are Mrs. Ola Spangler, 83; Mrs. Annie Golden of Dallas and Mrs. Eva Mangum of the Leonard Nursing Home.