As we gather as a church family, we are all descendants of a long list of people who were our Bandera Methodist Church founders.
Early Beginnings
Like the early church, our story started in the homes of Bandera County residents, even under a brush arbor. It was around 1860 and the people brought food, a strong Methodist tradition which we keep alive today. Most of these gatherings were considered “Sunday School.” Eventually, we became Bandera Methodist.
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 Methodist Preacher was Rev. Joh Wesley DeVillbiss, followed by Rev. Andrew Jackson Potter in 1867. Around that same time was the creation of “A West Texas Annual Conference” of the “Methodist Episcopal Church South” under a connectional system.
What did that mean? It was a process to share. We joined; what changed? What was our guiding light then? God and His Word in our Holy Bible. There was an administrative group, a finance committee, and a board of trustees. The name out front remained the “Bandera Methodist Church.”
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 this sanctuary. A parsonage was constructed next door, where our recently-constructed new building 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
Over all this time, there continued to be 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 all became simply “Methodist.” What changed for us? Our guiding light was god and His Word in our Holy Bible. That simple Methodist moniker lasted 29 years. During this time, the original parsonage was moved, and a new contemporary building replaced it.
A side note here: 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 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. Agreement was reached, and in 1968 the Methodist officially merged with The Evangelical United Brethren. We became “The Bandera United Methodist Church.”
What changed for us? Our guiding light remained God and His Word in our Holy Bible. This union lasted 55 years. What about our story today? So, it’s now 157 years later.
The list of achievements over that time has been considerable. We believe all have been guided by God and the dedicated hands and hearts of our church family through the generations.
The Future
We’ve continued what our forefathers started, focused on the future. Just a quick look at the last 25 years! We’ve repurposed The Ryan Building, constructed the Fellowship hall, purchased additional property for future expansion on Cedar Street and Hackberry Street, plus our Pastor’s residence in the Bridlegate development.
A new building completed in late 2021 that connects the Fellowship Hall with our historic sanctuary building enabled us to add more classrooms and gathering areas, to expand our ministerial outreach for many more generations to come. What is the driving force behind all this? It is our trust in our Lord God and in our seeking our Lord’s participation and guidance always. In December 2023, our congregation voted to disaffiliate from the “United Methodist” and became the independent “Bandera Methodist Church.”
We can look back over the last 157 years with pride, admiration, and thankfulness, for hard-working, committed people, and for the perseverance to teach others about our loving and forgiving God. We are focusing our attention on the future and serving God’s Plan for mankind.
What about our beliefs and practices?
1. We worship our Lord.
2. We seek to understand God’s plan for our church.
3. We welcome all people to join our church family.
4. We provide spiritual comfort and guidance to the youth in our area.
5. We serve each other and those in need.
6. We follow the Bible’s instructions NOT to worry (in more than 100 scriptures.)
7. We follow the Bible’s instructions NOT to fear (in more than 100 scriptures.)
8. We follow the Bible’s instructions: To seek guidance, courage, and wisdom from our God.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
(Romans 15:13)