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

Quick facts for kids Wesley United Methodist Church
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, USA, has a very important history. It was started in 1865, right after the American Civil War ended. Its first members were formerly enslaved people in the Austin area. Today, it is still a church where most members are African-American.

The Church's Early Days

Founding and First Leaders

The church was founded on March 4, 1865. Reverend Joseph Welch led the first meeting. This historical meeting happened in the basement of another church in Austin. The very next day, the new church held its first meeting for leaders. The first trustees included Milton Wright, Thomas Merridy, and Henry Shelly. Reverend Isaac Wright was the first pastor of Wesley. He led the church from March 1865 to January 1868.

Growing the Congregation

When the church first opened for members, about 275 people joined! Other ministers like Friend, Spencer Hardwell, and John Boyd also helped lead the church. These leaders helped the church grow for nine years. In 1874, the West Texas Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed. Isaac Wright, Wesley's first pastor, was part of this important meeting.

Building the First Churches

The First Building in Downtown Austin

The first church building was built in 1874-75. Bishop Abraham Grant and Reverend B. F. Williams led this effort. This church was located in what is now downtown Austin. It was at the corner of Fourth Street and Congress Avenue.

The first church was about 40 by 60 feet. It had a dirt floor and logwood steps. The seating was small, with benches made from slab boards. People were very happy when a lamp was installed instead of individual candles.

A Larger Church for a Growing Community

As Wesley grew, it needed a bigger building. In the spring of 1882, work began on a new church. This new building was at the corner of Ninth and Neches Streets. It was about twice the size of the first church. The new church cost about $22,000 to build. The furniture inside cost over $2,500.

This new church had a study for the pastor. It also had a library for Sunday School books and choir materials. There was even a six-room house for the minister. For several years, Samuel Huston College (now Huston–Tillotson University) held many of its classes in this church.

Moving to a New Location

By the early 1900s, Austin had grown into a major city. Wesley Methodist Church had also grown a lot. The Austin Public Schools needed more space. So, in 1928, the Austin School Board bought the church's property for $17,500. Before this, the church had already bought land for future use. This land was on Hackberry, Navasota, and San Bernard Streets.

Under the leadership of Reverend W. L. Turner, a new church was built. This "Greater Wesley" church was built at the East Austin location. It cost about $50,000. The church members and Austin citizens helped pay for it. In 1968, Wesley Methodist Church became Wesley United Methodist Church. This happened when the larger church groups merged.

Community Impact and Recognition

Helping the Community

Wesley United Methodist Church helped start the Austin Area Urban League in the 1970s. Reverend Freddie B. Dixon Sr. was the first Board Chairman. This group worked to help the community.

The church also set up a special team to help African-American students. This team worked to lower the high number of suspensions in Austin schools. Wesley received a grant and started the Wesley Center. This center was on the church grounds and worked with the school district. Later, the Wesley Center moved to Rosewood Elementary School.

In the 1980s, another team was formed. This team, led by Reverend Freddie B. Dixon Sr., helped with the new Kealing Junior High School. The African-American community wanted a new junior high school. The team created a plan for a new school building. This plan was approved by the Austin School District and voters. A new Kealing Junior High School was then built.

Renovations and Historic Status

During the 1970s and 1980s, Wesley United Methodist Church planned to renovate its historic building. They also planned to buy nearby land. This plan started in the early 1980s and continued past 2000. The church raised over $200,000 in cash from its members. They bought nearby properties, and the church membership grew.

In 1985, Wesley United Methodist Church was recognized as a National Site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The United Methodist Church also recognized it as a Historic Structure.

Supporting Youth and Education

In 1988, the Wesley Endowment Fund was created. This fund helps high school students from Wesley 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 ministries were added. An educational director was hired to create programs for the church's youth and children.

Wesley's Pastors

• Isaac Wright 1865-68
• Brother Friend 1868-70
• John Boyd 1870-72
• Spencer Hardwell 1872-74
• B. F. Williams 1874-75
• Samuel Gates 1875-76
• C. L. Madison 1876-78
• Daniel Gregory 1878-79
• C. L. Madison 1879-81
• A. R. Norris 1881-83
• Harry Swann 1883-85
• Mack Henson 1885-89
• P. M. Carmichae1 1889-91
• C. L. Madison 1891-93
• Andrew Foster 1893-95
• John T. Gibbons 1895-96
• A. M. Mason 1896-(Unexpired term)
• Andrew Foster 1896-97
• G. R. Bryant 1897-00
• D. C. Lacy 1900-03
• Moses Smith 1903-07
• T. H. Wyatt 1907-10
• L. H. Richardson 1910-14
• J. W, Warren 1910-14
• G. A. Des1andes 1918-20
• A. D. Jacques 1920-21
• R. M. Davis 1921-24
• L. H. Richardson 1924-25
• T. H. Wyatt 1925-27
• W. L. Turner 1927-31
• C. W. Whitiker 1931-41
• V. A. Cooke (Assoc.)
• G. A. Des1andes 1941-42
• R. D. Young 1942-48
• J. G. Owens 1948-52
• R. S. Mosby 1952-58
• 0. B. Coe 1958-60
• P. L. Woods 1960-68
• J. Carruthers 1968-73
• F. B. Dixon Sr. 1973-94
• Rosie L. Johnson (Assoc.)1993-96
• Sylvester E. Chase Jr. From 1994