She remembers the sultry East Texas summer days when the church windows were wide open, letting in a breeze as well as the bees, while a congregation made of up families with children sang from the Cokesbury hymnal.

Yvonne Frost McCoy is the oldest member of Union Chapel United Methodist Church, set amidst the deep piney woods of Northeast Texas in Douglassville, between Linden and Texarkana. Though the building is now air conditioned and has indoor plumbing, the 90-years-young lady said the biggest change she has witnessed in the church is the decline in numbers.

"Oh, it used to be full of people," she said. "All the families had children. Now there are nine or 10 regulars — sometimes 20 on a special occasion."

The 150th anniversary of the church is a very special occasion, McCoy said, and she expects a crowd.

"We've invited former ministers and former members, and we hope everyone makes an extra effort to make it," she said. "Homecoming is always big, and this is a big homecoming." She said the building could probably hold more than 100 people comfortably — and hopes to get the opportunity to be proven right. "It's a big thing. This church has meant a lot to so many people."

The church's pastor, the Rev. Dave Ellis, said there would be singing from the Cokesbury hymnal, solos, "and of course, what would any good Methodist homecoming be without food?"

A covered-dish dinner, once called dinner-on-the-grounds, will follow the worship service.

A descendant of one of the church founders — as was her late husband, Leo McCoy — Yvonne McCoy joined the church at the age of 6 and has been an active member since.

She deliberately missed at least one Sunday worship service. "We got married on a Sunday," McCoy said. "We got married at the house about 9 in the morning so we wouldn't mess up the church before service," adding sheepishly, "They (people who attended her wedding) missed Sunday school, but made it to church."

Since becoming pastor there about a year ago, Ellis has become acquainted with the history of the church. According to Ellis, the 1858 founding members were Nancy Frost, Polly Bryan, Aaron Meyers, Salina Meyers Harkey, Mrs. James Elliott, Y.H. Frost, E.P. Bryan, Mary Bryan and Nancy McCoy. The church was founded 14 years before Texarkana was established and 10 years before Linden was incorporated.

The church building was once used as a schoolhouse, Ellis said. The congregation has produced 14 pastors.

Though old to East Texas, the church is new to the Longview district. Recent redistricting has taken Union Chapel UMC from the Texarkana district and placed it into Longview's.

"We celebrate with Union Chapel United Methodist Church in reaching the 150th year of their ministry in East Texas," said district superintendent the Rev. Gerald Neff. "This is a caring church whose ministry over the years has impacted many in the community in which they serve. We praise God for this group of caring and spiritual Christians carrying on His work and pray they will continue for many years to come."

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If you go

What: Union Chapel UMC 150th anniversary

When: 11 p.m. May 18

Where: CR 2065, off of Texas 77, east of Douglassville

Cost: Free