Benson Chapel Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1891. The
Church was located one mile west of the site where Jacksonville Baptist
College is now located. In 1894, the church was moved to the corner of Ragsdale and Pine Street. The corner-stone was done under
the pastorate of the founder Rev. Sam Benson.Services were held continuously
in this edifice until 1941.
Under
the leadership of Rev. Floyd W.L Haynes, this building was dismantled and a new church known as “Greater Benson Memorial
CME Church” in memory of Rev. Sam Benson was erected in 1942.
Furniture was remodeled under Rev. P.L. Gray; the first air-conditioning system was installed under Rev. David. V.
Patton and the sanctuary was changed and furniture was replaced during Rev. E.J. Turner’s tenure.
Due to Industrial development, the church chose to relocate . Land was
bought and a new church was built and occupied on Ellis Street
in 1987. This process started under Rev. Floyd Ferguson in 1985 and was completed
under Rev. Albert C. Gilbert.
Rev. D.F. Madlock served as pastor from 1988 to 1997. A church van and
piano were bought during his tenure.
In 1997, Rev. Robert Christopher served as Pastor.
Rev.
Joel McCalister was assigned to Benson in 1998. This devout Christian man’s
tenure lasted over eleven years.
We have been under the tutelage of our present Pastor–Reverend Kenneth Cain since July of 2011
Benson Memorial is a part of the North Tyler district, Central Texas Conference ,
Eighth Episcopal District, of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
