First Methodist Church of Rockwall

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

From the record

“First Methodist Church of Rockwall is a historic church at 303 E. The church was built in 1913 for Rockwall's Methodist congregation, which formed in 1856 and had previously met in a wooden church building.”
Wikipedia article First Methodist Church of Rockwall, CC BY-SA 4.0.

One of 2 National Register listings published here for Rockwall County · listed in 2007 · category: Building.

Sources: the Wikipedia article · the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service

The listing

What is counted as historic. The nomination lists 1 building as contributing to the listing.
Address. 303 E. Rusk, Rockwall, 75087
When was it listed? July 2007
Category. building
Census division. Northwest Rockwall
Architectural style. Mission Revival architecture
National Register reference number. 07000691 - the number the National Park Service assigned this property when it was listed, and the key its nomination file is catalogued under at the National Archives.

Fires near this property

186 since 2005

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 186 fires within 5 miles of First Methodist Church of Rockwall between 2005 and 2018, burning about 689 acres in total. 2 started naturally. 2 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause	Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined	78
Debris and open burning	56
Equipment and vehicle use	15
Misuse of fire by a minor	13
Recreation and ceremony	9
Smoking	7
Power generation/transmission/distribution	4
Natural	2
Arson/incendiarism	2

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

Date	Cause	Size	Reported by	Name on the report
9 September 2006	Equipment and vehicle use	6.0 acres	Texas A & M Forest Service	not named
8 September 2011	Debris and open burning	1.0 acres	Texas A & M Forest Service	HOLIDAY
7 September 2011	Debris and open burning	1.0 acres	Texas A & M Forest Service	KATHRYN
5 September 2010	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	under an acre	Texas A & M Forest Service	2010-0647
3 September 2016	Debris and open burning	under an acre	Texas A & M Forest Service	2016-904
28 September 2005	Natural	2.0 acres	Texas A & M Forest Service	not named
27 September 2013	Debris and open burning	1.0 acres	Texas A & M Forest Service	12454 S STATE HIGHWAY 205 - 13089170
22 September 2012	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	1.0 acres	Texas A & M Forest Service	2012-638

Every fire recorded in Rockwall County

Storms near this property

60 of 72 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Rockwall, the town this property stands in, in 72 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 31 hail, 28 thunderstorm wind, 9 flash flood, 2 tornado. The reports record 2 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

When	Event	Place named	Harm	What the report says
April 1996	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	2 hurt, $400,000	no account filed
October 2019	Tornado (EF1)	Rockwall	$10,000,000	Tornadic wind damage was observed in Rockwall, generally parallel with and north of US 66, from the eastern shore of Lake Ray Hubbard into northeastern Rockwall. The most intense damage was observed close to the lake, along Sunset Hill Drive where several homes sustained significant roof damage. As the path continued farther east across SH 205, damage consisted of downed trees and fences and missing shingles on roofs. Based on eyewitness accounts and video footage, a tornado, with maximum rated wind speeds of 90 mph, or EF-1 intensity was confirmed. The tornado is believed to have developed over Lake Ray Hubbard with a path length of almost 2 miles.
April 2016	Hail	Rockwall	$10,000,000	A social media report indicated 3-inch diameter hail in Rockwall, TX.
April 1994	Hail	Rockwall	$5,000,000	Golf ball- to soft ball-size hail damaged over 100 houses in southern Rockwall County. Damage was estimated at over 500,000 dollars.
June 2023	Hail	Rockwall	$300,000	Several public reports showed 1-2 sized hail fell in Rockwall, TX.
April 2016	Hail	Rockwall	$250,000	A trained spotter reported golf-ball sized hail near Highway 205 and Ralph Hall Parkway.
June 2023	Hail	Rockwall	$250,000	no account filed
April 1997	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$150,000	A marina received major damage from strong winds.
March 2017	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$100,000	Several media outlets filmed the aftermath of significant damage to homes in the northern parts of Rockwall. In particular were homes in a subdivision east of John King Blvd and south of FM 552.
May 1998	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$50,000	Thunderstorm winds downed carports, signs, and powerlines.
May 1997	Lightning	Rockwall	$40,000	Lightning struck a house and caused a fire that resulted in considerable damage.
May 1999	Flash Flood	Rockwall	$25,000	A bridge at State Highway 205 collapsed from the pressure of debris against the structure. Some of the debris collected from heavy rains that also fell the previous day.
June 1997	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$25,000	Strong winds removed the roof of a house near the lake.
May 1997	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$20,000	Strong winds damaged roofs and trees.
June 1996	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$15,000	no account filed
May 2024	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$12,000	Large trees branches were knocked down in Rockwall. Power outages were also reported throughout the county.
October 2019	Tornado (EF1)	Rockwall	$10,000	This entry is a continuation of the Rowlett tornado that began in Dallas County: The onset of damage with this tornado path began along Larkin Lane in Rowlett with a few trees and roofs damaged. The track continued east northeast with the greatest intensity of damage observed in the 4600 block of Hilcox Road just before PGBT where one home lost most of the roof, saw severe windows damaged, and the garage exterior walls collapsed. Several metal outbuildings and barns on this and adjacent properties were also severely damaged or destroyed. Multiple trees were snapped or uprooted along with power poles collapsed. The tornado moved over the east side of the PGBT where several houses and barns sustained significant roof damage or shingles removed. The damage track continued north/northeast near the Pleasant Valley neighborhood. A video shows this tornado as it was over Lake Ray Hubbard where it likely lifted before reaching the far shore. Maximum estimated winds were 100 mph with this tornado.
April 2018	Hail	Rockwall	$10,000	Amateur radio reported golf ball sized hail in the city of Rockwall, TX.
April 2026	Hail	Rockwall	$7,000	Amateur radio operator reported 1.75 inch hail just south of Rockwall.
April 2026	Hail	Rockwall	$7,000	Report of 1.75 inch hail from mPING.
February 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$5,000	Wind damage was reported along Washington Street in Rockwall. Damage to athletic field fences, broken tree limbs, and wooden sheds were damaged.
September 2005	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$5,000	Trees and power lines down.
November 1999	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$5,000	Trees were uprooted and a barn was destroyed by high thunderstorm winds.
March 1995	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$5,000	High winds caused roof damage to a home.
January 1993	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$5,000	Road signs were blown down.
August 2005	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$3,000	Large trees were split in half and a carport was blown down. Large tree limbs were also blown down.
April 2012	Hail	Rockwall	$2,000	Half dollar sized hail fell at the Walmart located near Interstate 30 and Ridge Road in Rockwall.
June 1996	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$2,000	no account filed
October 2014	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$1,000	Emergency Management reported that a power line was blown down on Goliad Street between the First Baptist Church and Emma Jame.
April 1999	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	$100	Several trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds.
April 2023	Hail	Rockwall	-	A public report indicated ping pong ball sized hail about a mile south-southeast of Rockwall, TX.
April 2023	Hail	Rockwall	-	A social media picture indicated ping pong ball sized hail near the intersection of Ralph Hall Parkway and State Highway 205 in Rockwall, TX.
April 2023	Hail	Rockwall	-	Emergency management reported quarter sized hail in Rockwall, TX at the county sheriff's office.
March 2022	Hail	Rockwall	-	A public report indicated quarter sized hail in Rockwall, TX.
April 2016	Hail	Rockwall	-	A social media report indicated quarter sized hail in Rockwall, TX.
October 2014	Hail	Rockwall	-	Dime to quarter sized hail was observed in southeast Wylie.
October 2014	Hail	Rockwall	-	One inch diameter hail was observed near downtown Rockwall.
June 2012	Hail	Rockwall	-	Quarter sized hail was reported near State Highway 66 and FM 205 northeast of Rockwall.
June 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	-	Trees were blown down.
April 2007	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	-	Limbs broken off trees.
March 2006	Flash Flood	Rockwall	-	Significant flooding in and between the cities of Rockwall and Royse City including bypasses on Interstate 30.
July 2004	Heavy Rain	Rockwall	-	Some minor street flooding was reported, with 6.13 inches of rain falling in less than 24 hours.
May 2001	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	-	Large tree limbs were blown down by high winds.
May 2001	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	-	Continuous power flashes from high winds.
June 2000	Flash Flood	Rockwall	-	Street flooding was reported in the south part of the city.
September 1998	Flash Flood	Rockwall	-	Water covered some roads near Rockwall.
April 1997	Flash Flood	Rockwall	-	Over 3.25 inches of rain in 12 hours resulted in widespread flooding across the county.
December 1997	Flash Flood	Rockwall	-	Several roads remained flooded across the county.
September 1997	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	-	Strong winds blew large tree limbs down.
December 1997	Flash Flood	Rockwall	-	Several roads across the county were reported flooded and closed.
December 1997	Flash Flood	Rockwall	-	Several roads across the county remained closed.
March 1995	Hail	Rockwall	-	,,,,,,,,Hail (1.75) Fate,25,1850CST,,,0,0,0,0,Hail (1.75) County-wide,25,1932CST,,,0,0,0,0,Flash Flooding White Oak Creek overflowed its banks causing flooding of nearby roads.
March 1995	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	-	,,,,,,,,Hail (1.75) Fate,25,1850CST,,,0,0,0,0,Hail (1.75) County-wide,25,1932CST,,,0,0,0,0,Flash Flooding White Oak Creek overflowed its banks causing flooding of nearby roads.
April 1994	Hail	Rockwall	-	Golf ball- to soft ball-size hail damaged over 100 houses in southern Rockwall County. Damage was estimated at over 500,000 dollars.
November 1994	Thunderstorm Wind	Rockwall	-	Five mobile homes were destroyed, 13 sustained major damage, 42 mobile homes sustained minor damage, and power lines were blown down by high winds. Damage was estimated at $816,000.
April 1994	Hail	Rockwall	-	Golf ball- to soft ball-size hail damaged over 100 houses in southern Rockwall County. Damage was estimated at over 500,000 dollars.
April 2011	Hail	Rockwall	-	no account filed
May 2011	Hail	Rockwall	-	no account filed
April 2003	Hail	Rockwall	-	no account filed
April 2003	Hail	Rockwall	-	no account filed

Every storm recorded in Rockwall County

Map coverage status

No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.

Listed places nearby

1 within 8 miles

Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.

Photograph	Property	Distance	Listed
	Royse City Lodge No. 663 A.F. & A.M.	8.0 miles	1994

Sources for this property

National Archives record	The nomination case file for reference 07000691 in Record Group 79.
Wikipedia article	Community-written account of this property, licensed CC BY-SA.
Rockwall County	All 2 listed properties in this county.

Provenance

Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.