Title
Recognition of Webb Chapel United Methodist Church for its place in Farmers Branch History.
Body
BACKGROUND:
In 2011, City Council made the Dennis brothers the inaugural recipients of the Witness to History Award. The award was created to recognize those long term Farmers Branch residents and organizations that have contributed to the City. To qualify for the award, an individual would have to reside in Farmers Branch for 75 years or more, or an organization would have to be active for 50 years or more.
DISCUSSION:
At their January Board meeting, the Historical Preservation and Restoration Board unanimously voted to recommend to City Council that the Webb Chapel United Methodist Church receive the Witness to History Award.
As the oldest church in Dallas County, the Webb Chapel United Methodist Church was founded in the log cabin home of Colonel Isaac B. Webb and his wife Mary on March 19, 1844. In 1887, a frame building was built very close to where the present day Webb Chapel Cemetery is located. As downtown Farmers Branch grew (near the intersections of Denton Drive and Valley View Lane), the church moved to their present day location in 1903, off Valley View Lane and at what is now known as William Dodson Parkway. In 1955, a new church was built in the same location.
RECOMMENDATION:
City Administration recommends awarding the Witness to History Award to Webb Chapel United Methodist Church.
ALTERNATIVES:
1) Motion to recognize the Webb Chapel United Methodist Church with the Witness to History award.
2) Motion to deny recognizing the Webb Chapel United Methodist Church with the Witness to History award.
3) Motion to modify recognition of the Webb Chapel United Methodist Church to meet the needs of the Council.
4) Motion to table the issue for further study or take no action.