Wesley United Methodist Church (Austin, Texas) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wesley United Methodist Church
Wesley Church in 2006
Location	1164 San Bernard St Austin, Texas 78702
Country	USA
Denomination	United Methodist Church
Previous denomination	Methodist Episcopal Church
History
Former name(s)	Wesley Chapel Church
Status	Church
Founded	March 4, 1865 (congregation) 1882 (original building)
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	NRHP
Designated	1985
Groundbreaking	Spring 1882
Administration
District	Austin
Division	Southwest Texas Conference

The Wesley United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas, United States, is a historic church with a rich past. It was started in 1865, right after the American Civil War ended. The first members were African Americans who had recently gained their freedom. Today, it continues to be a church where most members are African American.

On March 4, 1865, Reverend Joseph Welch led the meeting where Wesley Church was founded. This important meeting took place in the basement of another church in Austin.

The Church's Early Days

The day after Wesley Church was founded, its first official meeting was held. The first leaders, called trustees, included Milton Wright and Thomas Merridy. Reverend Isaac Wright was also one of the first trustees and became the church's first pastor. He served from March 1865 to January 1868.

In January 1874, the West Texas Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed. Isaac Wright, Wesley's first pastor, was among the ministers who attended this important meeting.

When the church first opened its doors, at least 275 people joined. Other ministers like Friend, Spencer Hardwell, and John Boyd helped Reverend Wright. They also served as pastors of Wesley Church later on.

Building the First Church

The very first church building was constructed under the guidance of Bishop Abraham Grant and Reverend B. F. Williams. Reverend Williams was the pastor in 1874–75. This first church was located in what is now downtown Austin, at Fourth Street and Congress Avenue.

A historical description of this early church paints a clear picture:

• It was about 40 feet by 60 feet in size.
• The floor was made of dirt.
• The steps were made from logs.
• Seating was limited, with benches made from rough wooden slabs.
• At first, people used individual candles for light. Later, a lamp was installed on the wall, which brought great joy to the congregation.

A New and Bigger Home

As Wesley Church grew, it attracted many new members. In less than 20 years, a larger building was needed. In the spring of 1882, construction began on a new church. This new building was located at Ninth and Neches Streets.

This second church was much bigger, with about twice the space of the first one. It cost around $22,000 to build, plus over $2,500 for church furniture. The new church had a special study for the pastor and a library for Sunday School books.

For several years, Samuel Huston College, now known as Huston–Tillotson University, held most of its classes in this church building.

Moving to East Austin

By the early 1900s, Wesley Methodist Church had grown even more. The city of Austin was also becoming a much larger community. There was a need to expand the public schools in Austin.

So, in 1928, the Austin School Board bought the church's property for $17,500. Before this, under the leadership of Reverend L. H. Richardson, the church had already bought land on Hackberry, Navasota, and San Bernard Streets for a future church.

Under the guidance of Reverend W. L. Turner, a new and even larger church, called "Greater Wesley," was built at this new East Austin location. It cost about $50,000 to build. The church members and citizens of Austin helped pay for it.

In 1968, Wesley Methodist Church became Wesley United Methodist Church. This happened when the larger Methodist church organizations merged.

Helping the Community

Wesley United Methodist Church has always been very involved in its community. In the mid-1970s, it helped start the Austin Area Urban League. Reverend Freddie B. Dixon Sr. was the first chairman of its board.

The church also created a special group to help reduce the number of African-American students being suspended from schools in the Austin Independent School District. This group worked with school officials to find solutions.

Wesley Church received a grant and started the Wesley Center on its grounds. This center worked with the school district to help students. Later, the Wesley Center moved to Rosewood Elementary School, which was renamed the F. R. Rice School.

In the 1980s, the church formed another group led by Reverend Freddie B. Dixon Sr. This group worked with community leaders to address the need for a new Kealing Junior High School. The African-American community wanted to make sure their junior high school stayed open.

The group created a detailed plan for building a new Kealing Junior High School on the same site. This plan was approved by the Austin Independent School District and the voters of Austin. As a result, a new Kealing Junior High School was built.

Growth and Recognition

During the 1970s and 1980s, Wesley United Methodist Church developed a plan to update its historic building and buy nearby land. This plan started in the early 1980s and continued past 2000.

The church members raised over $200,000 in cash over ten years to complete this work without needing to borrow money. During this time, the church also bought nearby properties, and its membership grew.

In 1983, Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, the first African-American leader of the Southwest Texas Conference, led dedication ceremonies. His son, Dr. Freddie B. Dixon Sr., who was the pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church at the time, also participated.

In 1985, Wesley United Methodist Church was recognized as a National Site by the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is considered an important historical building in the United States. The United Methodist Church also recognized it as a Historic Structure.

In 1988, the Wesley Endowment Fund was created. This fund helps high school students from Wesley Church who are going to college. As of 2011, about 55 students had received $500 each. This scholarship program helps children and grandchildren of church members.

In 2003, the Southwest Texas Conference named Wesley United Methodist Church a "Five Star Church." New programs were added, and an educational director was hired to create activities for the church's youth and children.

Images for kids

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  Wesley United Methodist Church in 2006