Mauk Methodist

Taylor County
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Org 1907
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Photography by Tony Cantrell

Mauk is a small town located in Taylor County that was founded in the early 1800s, named after a creek that runs through the area. During the mid-1800s, Mauk became a hub for agriculture, With cotton being the primary crop. The town had several cotton gins and warehouses, and with the arrival of the railroad, farmers were able to transport their crops more easily.

In 1907, Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Mauk deeded 2 lots in the small community of Mauk to the trustees of the Methodist Church. Her father, Sebastian Cabot Mauk, a prominent farmer, had passed away in 1902 and left land to Sarah. Over the following year, a church was erected, as well as a parsonage next door for traveling pastors to stay. In 1913, Mauk had grown enough to be incorporated.

In the 1920s, church members attended tent revival services that were held beside the church. These types of revivals were popular during this time and brought crowds from all over the area. But within a few years, Mauk began to decline economically, as cotton production declined and many residents moved away in search of better opportunities. In 1939, Mauk had its charter repealed.

However the town remained a tight-knit community, and several historic buildings from this era still stand in Mauk today, including the Mauk school and the original Mauk United Methodist Church. Today, Mauk is a small rural community with a population of just over 300 people. The town is known for its annual Mauk Spring Festival, which features live music, food, vendors, and other entertainment. In 2002, Mauk United Methodist Church celebrated its centennial anniversary.