Abbott Methodist Church

The first Methodist Worship service in Abbott was held in 1883 by the Rev. G. W. Swafford. A congregation soon was organized and became a regular stop on the Hillsboro Circuit with the Rev. J.. P. Mussett as first Pastor. By 1886 the congregation had more than 600 members. The first Methodist Sanctuary, built in 1884, served until the current church building was completed in 1899. Although both the population of Abbott and membership in the church have declined since the 1940's, Abbott United Methodist Church retains important historic ties to the town's early heritage. By 2006, the membership had declined to only 5 remaining members so the decision was made to merge the congregation with the First United Methodist Church in Hillsboro. The building was placed for sale by the United Methodist Conference and the rumor was that the building was being sold and was to be moved off the current location and turned into a wedding chapel. Connections thru several friends, the word got back to Abbott's famous sister and brother, Willie and Bobbie Nelson. An offer was made on the building and the sale was completed in June 2006. The church re-opened in July 2006 as the Abbott Methodist Church and remains open to this day.