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The historical committee of St. Paul's United Methodist Church dedicates this history to all persons who are interested in the Kingdom of God and have helped the church and its people through their
On June 5, 1955, at an organizational meeting, it was made known that the first services of the "Second" Methodist Church would be held on Sunday, June 12, 1955, at Tenie Holmes Elementary School, with Rev. Louis Gant officiating. He was named to the post at the Friday meeting of the Texas Conference. He was the former minister of the Methodist Church in Pearland, Texas. The Tenie Holmes School was selected as temporary quarters for the newly organized church until a building could be constructed. It was through the interest and untiring efforts of many of the congregation of First Methodist Church of Bay City and the deep interest of the Galveston District Board of Missions that this new Methodist Church was organized in Bay City. On that first Sunday, 29 persons united with the church. Rev. T. Walter Moore, district superintendent, assisted Rev. Gant in the organization of this new Methodist church in Bay City. At the first council meeting, a committee was appointed to devise a plan as to how the church should be named and the name to give it. On June 19, 1955, the "Name Committee" submitted the following report: Each member of the Church would be given a ballot for voting on the name. The members present at this meeting were given ballots to vote for the name of their choice. Those absent were contacted during the week for voting. The two names given most consideration were St. Paul's and St. Luke's. On June 26, 1955, Rev. Gant announced that St. Paul's was the name chosen by the new church. The charter members were:
The first infant baptism was of Donna Merlene Richardson, infant daughter of Gordon and Merlene Richardson. Rev. Louis Gant officiated. In honor of the happy occasion, a baptismal bowl was given to the church by the Richardsons. The first marriage ceremony performed at St. Paul's was for Barbara Jean Henry and Foster Neil Edwards on August 30, 1958, by the Reverends Robert Pate and Leslie LeGrand. The first meeting of the Woman's Society of Christian Service was held on June 15, 1955, at Tenie Holmes School for the purpose of organization. Those present were Barbara Gant, Mrs. C. E. Feagin, Jane McLendon, Mrs. R. T. Irwin, Harriet Stanley, Merlene Richardson, Thelma Smothers, Bethel Bryant, Pearl Mahon, Roberta Irwin and Rev. Louis Gant. On June 26, 1955, 100 Methodist hymnals were ordered as well as a communion set. The Methodist's Men Club met for organization and to adopt their by-laws and constitution on July 10, 1955. On July 24, 1955, Mrs. R. T. Irwin was appointed communion steward. On the same date, the Methodist men were given permission to erect a portable altar to be used in the Tenie Holmes cafeteria where the church services were held. On October 8, 1957, at the church conference, the Broadway Bond Plan was accepted as the plan to finance the construction of the new church. William Henry, Jr., age 11, son of W. J. and Myra Henry, gave the first volunteer offering in the amount of $9. Individuals were asked to sign checks in any amounts they chose, and the checks were kept by the treasurer until the "first brick was laid." The contributors were then notified as to the date their check would be cashed. The ground-breaking services were held on December 15, 1957, with Rev. Bob Pate turning the first shovel of soil. Dr. M. C. Frankson was the general chairman of the bond-selling drive and bonds amounting to $40,000 were sold in three days. Attendance on March 30, 1958 was: Sunday School--103 and Morning Worship--106. The first service was held in the new church building on April 13, 1958. W. J. "Bill" Henry donated all the carpet grass for the church lawn. An "open house" for the community was held in the church on May 4, 1958.
Pastors who have served St. Paul's were: For many years the church had community-wide barbecues, chili suppers oyster suppers, fish fries and paper sales to help pay for the church. In September, 1971, the church celebrated its debt-free status by having the church building dedicated with Bishop Kenneth Copeland and Dr. Harry Rankin, district superintendent, presiding at the morning worship service. Rev. Robert Porter was the minister of the time. Since that time many milestones have been reached--new pews with cushions, stained glass window made by the pastor and members, carpet in the aisle, an Allen organ and a new church school building. The church celebrated its 25th anniversary on June 8, 1980. Invitations were issued to all previous pastors and members, and a large crowd was in attendance for morning worship and dinner on the grounds with open house that evening. For many years (1955-70) the parsonage stood on the church grounds. At that time, a new parsonage was purchased at 4120 Crescent Drive. The consecration service was held on the parsonage lawn at 3:00 P. M., Sunday afternoon, June 28, 1970. In the summer of 1977, the church was given its first church van, and it has taken members on many memorable trips. At the present time, besides regular worship services, the church reaches out through the United Methodist Women, Methodist Men, United Methodist Youth Fellowship, and a Tuesday night prayer and Bible study fellowship. There is an adult choir and a children's choir. In the book of Nehemiah, in verse 18 of chapter 2, are these words: "Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good work." (RSV) This could well be the motto of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. The pastors and the members and friends are truly in the business of being "about the Father's work" and building the Kingdom of God. Many works have been done, many are being done, and many will be done--to the Glory of God.
Historic Matagorda County, Volume I, pages
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