Like the early church, our story started around 1860 in the homes of Bandera County residents. . .even under a brush arbor. The people brought food with them and enjoyed worshipping together. Most of these gatherings were considered “Sunday School," but eventually, we became Bandera Methodist Church.
In 1867, we started meeting in various buildings. The sign on the building read “Bandera Methodist Church”, which was part of the “Methodist Episcopal Church South” (an impact of the Civil War). Our first preacher was Rev. John Wesley DeVillbiss, followed by Rev. Andrew Jackson Potter in 1867.
Around that same time the West Texas Annual Conference was created in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and we were connected with many other churches.
The name out front was still Bandera Methodist Church, and we were still led by God's Word, found in the Holy Bible, but we had a system of government with boards and committees.
A Permanent Building
In 1878, a committee was formed to build a permanent church building. The Rev. H.W. South led a team which included D. Rugh, O. Saner, J. Hudspeth, and B. Langford. The major construction specifications were native hand-cut limestone from local quarries and oak timbers. In 1880, just two years later, the first services were held in the new sanctuary. A parsonage was constructed next door, where our recently constructed new building now sits.
Several major remodels occurred in the early 1900s costing just under $100,000. In terms of today’s dollar value that would be $3,611,464.29. Our church membership grew and more modifications occurred. Some familiar names – Langford, Stevens, Rugh, Lewis, and Sandidge – led those efforts.
Reconciliation
During all of this time, there were three groups of Methodists: The Methodist Protestant, The Methodist Episcopal North, and the Methodist Episcopal South. In 1939, it was time to “bury the hatchet” and reconcile. Once again, we simply became “Methodist.” That simple Methodist moniker lasted 29 years. During this time, the original parsonage was moved, and it was replaced by a new contemporary building. More space was needed for the growth of our church and the church turned to the parsonage, a small house with no basement . . .Yet! A basement was dug and was originally used for classrooms.
Unification
In 1966, discussions began between our Methodist Bishop, L.C. Wicke, and Bishop R.H. Muller of Evangelical United Brethren, to merge the two protestant organizations. An agreement was reached, and in 1968, the Methodist church officially merged with The Evangelical United Brethren. We then became “Bandera United Methodist Church.” This union lasted 55 years.
The list of achievements during these years have been considerable. We believe that all have been accomplished by God guiding the hands and hearts of our church family.
The Future
We’ve continued what our forefathers started with a focus on the future. In just the last 25 years, we have repurposed The Ryan Building, constructed the fellowship hall, and purchased additional property for future expansion on Cedar Street and Hackberry Street.
A new building was completed in late 2021 that connects the Fellowship Hall with our historic sanctuary building. This enabled us to add more classrooms and gathering areas. It expanded our ministerial outreach for many generations to come. What is the driving force behind all this? It is our trust in God as we seek our Lord's participation and guidance.
In December 2023, our congregation voted to disaffiliate from the “United Methodist Church” and became an independent Methodist church. We can look back over the last 157 years with pride, admiration, and thankfulness, for all of the hard-working, committed people, and for the perseverance to teach others about our loving and forgiving God.
We now focus our attention on the future where we want to hold up the light of Christ to all of Bandera County. We'd love for you to join us.
Like the early church, our story started around 1860 in the homes of Bandera County residents. . .even under a brush arbor. The people brought food with them and enjoyed worshipping together. Most of these gatherings were considered “Sunday School," but eventually, we became Bandera Methodist Church.
In 1867, we started meeting in various buildings. The sign on the building read “Bandera Methodist Church”, which was part of the “Methodist Episcopal Church South” (an impact of the Civil War). Our first preacher was Rev. John Wesley DeVillbiss, followed by Rev. Andrew Jackson Potter in 1867.
Around that same time the West Texas Annual Conference was created in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and we were connected with many other churches.
The name out front was still Bandera Methodist Church, and we were still led by God's Word, found in the Holy Bible, but we had a system of government with boards and committees.
A Permanent Building
In 1878, a committee was formed to build a permanent church building. The Rev. H.W. South led a team which included D. Rugh, O. Saner, J. Hudspeth, and B. Langford. The major construction specifications were native hand-cut limestone from local quarries and oak timbers. In 1880, just two years later, the first services were held in the new sanctuary. A parsonage was constructed next door, where our recently constructed new building now sits.
Several major remodels occurred in the early 1900s costing just under $100,000. In terms of today’s dollar value that would be $3,611,464.29. Our church membership grew and more modifications occurred. Some familiar names – Langford, Stevens, Rugh, Lewis, and Sandidge – led those efforts.
Reconciliation
During all of this time, there were three groups of Methodists: The Methodist Protestant, The Methodist Episcopal North, and the Methodist Episcopal South. In 1939, it was time to “bury the hatchet” and reconcile. Once again, we simply became “Methodist.” That simple Methodist moniker lasted 29 years. During this time, the original parsonage was moved, and it was replaced by a new contemporary building. More space was needed for the growth of our church and the church turned to the parsonage, a small house with no basement . . .Yet! A basement was dug and was originally used for classrooms.
Unification
In 1966, discussions began between our Methodist Bishop, L.C. Wicke, and Bishop R.H. Muller of Evangelical United Brethren, to merge the two protestant organizations. An agreement was reached, and in 1968, the Methodist church officially merged with The Evangelical United Brethren. We then became “Bandera United Methodist Church.” This union lasted 55 years.
The list of achievements during these years have been considerable. We believe that all have been accomplished by God guiding the hands and hearts of our church family.
The Future
We’ve continued what our forefathers started with a focus on the future. In just the last 25 years, we have repurposed The Ryan Building, constructed the fellowship hall, and purchased additional property for future expansion on Cedar Street and Hackberry Street.
A new building was completed in late 2021 that connects the Fellowship Hall with our historic sanctuary building. This enabled us to add more classrooms and gathering areas. It expanded our ministerial outreach for many generations to come. What is the driving force behind all this? It is our trust in God as we seek our Lord's participation and guidance.
In December 2023, our congregation voted to disaffiliate from the “United Methodist Church” and became an independent Methodist church. We can look back over the last 157 years with pride, admiration, and thankfulness, for all of the hard-working, committed people, and for the perseverance to teach others about our loving and forgiving God.
We now focus our attention on the future where we want to hold up the light of Christ to all of Bandera County. We'd love for you to join us.