History

In 1907 The Reverend J. T. Browning, a superannuated preacher of The Texas Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, began preaching in the town of Humble, driving from his home in Houston. Oil had been discovered in Humble two years earlier in January 1905 with the blowout of the Beatty #2 well. Humble had become a boomtown. Church services were held in an old building which was formerly a bottle factory. The next year, in February 1908, the church was organized with 37 members being received in February and March.

 

Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Kiser and Mrs. Lydia Browning are the first recorded members. Dr. S. H. Moore of Houston was the first Sunday School Superintendent. Preaching services were held twice a month. 

 

The Charter Members were: J. P. Kiser, Addie Kiser, Lydia Browning, James Albert Davis, Mollie C. Davis, Karan Gillespie, Alcie Morgan, Winnie Osborne (married Ollie E. Rush), Bettie Matthews (married F. J. Hebert), Hellen Bussa, Christine Edgett, Carrie Matthews, Ruby Matthews, Anna Young, Florence Redman, Alffie Talbot, Mrs. S. W. Swarthout, Mrs. Lucy Dawson, Mrs. R. E. Glascock, Mrs. C. E. Beasly, Mr. N. A. Myers, Mrs. N. A. Myers, Mrs. W. E. Rodgers, Mrs. May Hale, Nathan Ward, Lucy Nobles Ward, Mrs. A. L. Fondren, Mrs. Eddie Breeding, Mrs. B. S. Herring, Miss Eva Bussa, Mrs. W. C. Hammil, Mr. John Christie, Mrs. John Christie, Mattie Bell Darr(Bobbie Lee’s Grandmother), Mrs. S. A. Hindman, Miss Suellie Hindman, Miss Mattie E. Hindman.

 

The Pastors of the church in order are: The Reverend J. T. Browning, E. Payne, W. M. Sherrill, J. E. Thomas, E. L. Whidden, J. B. Bell, C. E. W. Smith, F. E. Feur, R. S. Marshal, H. K. Morehead, C. B. Cross, J. D. F. Houck, C. M. Myers, Frank Platt, W. L. Cannon, T. C. Sharp, Thomas I. Beck, C. H. Adams, R. L. Lemmons, J. Russell Brown, Ben K. Bering, W. H. Vance, Hal T. Cunningham, Sam Wright, Phil Trammell, J. H. Carlin, Frank A. Boutwell, Herman C. Millikan, Jeff H. Campbell, Robert J. Pate, J. W. (Bill) Turner, David E. Williamson, Larry R. Kelley, Fred Carter, William A. Holt, John Birkelbach, Anthony J. Vinson, Wayne Middleton, and E. B. Beasley, Jr. In 2006 Plaques recording the pastors of the church and dates served were placed in the narthex of the Chapel and in the hall near the Fellowship Hall, given by church members in honor of the pastorate of Larry R. Kelley. 

 

The first Church building, a wood frame structure, was erected in 1909 on the present site. A Sunday School Annex, standing separately, was added later. In 1930, during the pastorate of Reverend T. C. Sharp, the original Church buildings were destroyedby fire. The worship services and Sunday School classes were held for a time in the Disciples Church and then in the Jewell Theater until a new structure

was erected.

 

During the pastorate of T. C. Sharp, in 1930, the first Boy Scout troop in Humble was started, with 53-year-old T. C. Sharp as its Scoutmaster. The troop was initially designated “Humble1”, but later became Troop 92. The troop was started with 19 new Tenderfoot scouts and a transfer scout from Freeport, TX, Hugh Sharp, a Star Scout. After the church burned, the troop met in a barn on Isaacks Road. After the war, the Humble Lions Club took over the troop charter, and longtime Humble Methodist John Woods (known as “Uncle John” by the boys) became Scoutmaster, a post he held for more than 20 years. The troop produced 17 Eagle Scouts during the Uncle John years. 

 

In 1931 Reverend Thomas I. Beck was appointed pastor and plans were made to begin a new brick veneer structure on the same site at 800 Main Street. Mrs. E. N. Collins (who owned the Jewell theater) and Mrs. Ellis (Bernice) Herron served as chairman of the Building Committee. Mrs. W. C. Hammil (mother of Mrs. Homer Duran) and Mr. John Christie were the only two charter members of the church present at the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new church structure. (They shared the honors of the breaking of the first shovel-full of ground). One moneymaking project was that “paper” bricks were sold for $.25 to $1.00 each – so one could say he’d bought a number of bricks for the new building. The church was built through a “labor of love” by members of the church and other people in the community who wanted to help: rig builders, carpenters, and others. Many evenings, the men of the church worked after their regular days work, many hours while different church school classes and organizations served sandwiches and drinks to keep the work going. The building was completed two years later in 1932 and was one of the most beautiful buildings in Texas. (It is the same building being used by the congregation today, as the Chapel, and people still think it is one of the most beautiful).

 

During the pastorate of Reverend Hal T. Cunningham,1941-46, several changes were made in the interior of the building. A divided chancel was constructed by the pastor; a balcony was provided, and a baptismal font was given in memory of the pastor’s mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Cunningham.

 

The ceiling fan, which is still in use in the Elizabeth Cunningham Class (now the Women in the Word Classroom) was purchased by Hal Cunningham from the Christian Church, which was originally located on Higgins Street. For many years the Cunningham Class, made up of many of the older women in the church, met in the same room behind the chancel area in the Chapel. Their teacher for many years was Gurley Lee Epps. Mrs. Epps and her husband, Josh, also served as custodians of the church for several years. Following her death, the women of the church established the Gurley Lee Epps Scholarship fund. Following Gurley Lee Epps, Ms. Vera White taught the Cunningham Class for many years. 

 

In the spring of 1947, Mrs. W. H. Bennett called a few ladies of the church together for an afternoon tea. Out of this meeting came the Humble Methodist Garden Club. The first President of the club was Mrs. Hayne Sheffield. Other presidents in order have been: Mrs. H. C. Duran, Mrs. S. R. Hester, Mrs. A. S. Clemmons, Mrs. J. L. (Dorothy) Snellings, Mrs. J. O. Hoyt, Mrs. C. E. Tuttle, Mrs. W. L. Trigg, Mrs. E. F. Hinson, Mrs. Joe (Ann) Maxwell, and Mrs. Alex (Carolyn) Bridgers. For six years the Garden Club labored faithfully and lovingly at their self-appointed task. At the Easter service 1953, their dream at last came true as the beautiful Methodist Garden was dedicated at the Sunrise Service with the pastor, The Reverend Frank Boutwell, preaching. Following the dedication, the group continued to care for the Garden for many years before it was removed for new buildings. The Garden club also cared for the Church grounds, the Church Altar, and several other important projects. In 1955 the Garden Club received national recognition for their work. In that year the Club was awarded the first May Duff Walters Church Garden Award by the National Council of State Garden Clubs.      

 

 In 1949 Mr. and Mrs. Jasper L Snellings moved to Humble, and by Easter of 1950, Jasper was directing the choir. The Easter Cantata of 1950 included several familiar hymns, including Behold the Lamb of God. In 1953, during the pastorate of Reverend Frank A. Boutwell, the old parsonage, which was located at the site of the present Associate Parsonage, was sold and moved. A beautiful new six room, brick veneer parsonage was then constructed on the same site, Main Street at Avenue H at a cost of $15,500. Rev. Boutwell was a bachelor, so the house was designed accordingly. The opening of the new parsonage was held on November 22, 1953. Serving on the building committee were Philip Cezeaux, Jr. (who, along with his brother, owned the Ford dealership, then located across the street where the Humble Observer is presently located), Mrs. W. H. Bennett, and Kelcy Isenberg. Mrs. Bennett was chairman of the furnishing committee.    The architect was Raymond W. Condon, who was a member of this church. Mr. Condon’s daughter, Margaret Cinque, still has interest in our church, although she lives in Missouri City. 

 

Many other important things were accomplished during the 1950s. On Easter, 1953, the choir directed by Mrs. Homer Duran, was given new vestments by Miss Sarah Epps. In the early 1950s an organ fund was started by Hilton C. Schott (owner of Schott Grocery at Higgins and Avenue B; also president of the HISD School Board.) On Easter, 1955, the Church installed a new Allan Electronic Organ. As the organ installation crew was finishing up their work, they summoned Joyce Williams (H. C. Schott’s daughter), one of the church accompanists who happened to live across the street, to demonstrate how the new organ operated. Joyce learned well, and continues to this day playing the organ (for 52 years).  

 

On July 21, 1954, the Quarterly Conference voted to purchase the house and lot behind the church, on the northeast corner of Avenue G and Granberry, for additional Sunday School space. Then in March 1956, a $50,000 Broadway Bond issue was authorized by the Quarterly Conference for a new Educational Building and Fellowship Hall. The sale of the bonds began on May 1, 1956 under the Chairmanship of Hayne Sheffield. A Building Committee was then elected consisting of Roy Haley (Mary Haley Slaughter’s father) Mrs. W. H. (Mattie Mae) Bennett, Floyd H. Burton, B. B. Schott, and Frank Lewis. The architect was the late Richard C. Hoyt (brother of then church member, John O. Hoyt) of the firm of Irvine and Hoyt of Houston. Construction of the Educational Building and Fellowship Hall, (now referred to as the Sunday School Wing), begun during the pastorate of Reverend Frank A. Boutwell, was completed and an open house held on March 10, 1957 during the pastorate of Reverend Herman C. Millikan. Prior to completion of this new facility in 1957, the kitchen and Fellowship Hall were located on the second floor of the Chapel building. With the new Fellowship Hall and kitchen, the space on the second floor of the Chapel building was converted into classroom space.  

 

On October 30, 1957 our excellent Library was organized under the initial leadership of Elbridge Hardin. Mrs. I. E. Deckard was our very capable Librarian for several years after it was organized. This Library, which contained 408 volumes in the beginning, was largely maintained through gifts from members and friends of the church. A great many of the books are memorials to friends and loved ones. 

 

During the early 1950s, Jasper Snellings began to sing Oh Holy Night at the Christmas Eve candlelight services. This tradition continued for nearly 40 years, and generations of Humble Methodists all used to say, “Jasper sang Oh Holy Night, so it must be Christmas”. In 1998, following his death, the royal blue robes, presently worn by the Chancel Choir, were given to the church in honor of Jasper’s long service to the music ministries of the church.      

 

In 1961, during the pastorate of Reverend Robert J. Pate, additional land and two old houses adjacent to the Church property on Granberry were purchased. In 1963 the bonded indebtedness of the church was refinanced by the issuance of new Broadway Bonds. Also in 1963 the sanctuary(now the Chapel) was remodeled and painted and a combined central heating and air conditioning unit was installed to make the chapel and some of the adjacent classrooms more comfortable. During this same year the walkway was built on the west side of the church, between the library and Sunday School wing, given in honor of the members of the Cunningham Class by Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Lee (Jane) Herron.  

 

In June 1964, Reverend J. W. (Bill) Turner was appointed to this church. The Church and the Church School continued to grow steadily as they did under previous pastors. During the first 18 months of Mr. Turner’s pastorate, several notable things were accomplished: a crib Nursery room, made possible through the Kelly Pogue Memorial Fund was built; a beautiful display case for our Book of Memorials, made possible through gifts in memory of C. Roy Yancy and built by Larry Baker, was placed in the foyer; a public address system, made possible through gifts in memory of Russell Condon (who was killed in Viet Nam) was purchased and installed in the Chapel; and four new pews were purchased and installed in the Chapel, a large part of the cost being met by gifts in memory of W. E. DeFee, a long time member of this church. Mr. DeFee owned a variety store on Main Street, in the building that is now Humble Camera. He was “the usher”. He ushered at every service and other event, and would come to the front of the church at every service and, while the service continued, he would count faces, where everyone could see him doing the counting,

 

In 1965, with Aubrey Marsh as Chairman, funds were raised for air conditioning of the Fellowship Hall and adjoining classrooms. (About this time the Houston Inter-Continental Air Port was completed, and the area was booming). In 1966, the first Church Pictorial Directory was published. During this year the Humble Ministers’ Association, which culminated into the Humble Area Interfaith Council, was formed. The Interfaith Ministers’ Association sponsored a Blood Donor Program for some years and was active in interfaith services of all kinds. An active Bordersville Day Care Center was begun with volunteer help from all churches. Our assistance was directed through our volunteer, Mrs. Bob Aaker. Some major repairs and additions to our buildings were affected. In the summer of 1968, our first Youth Director, Sharon Howell, who later became an ordained minister in the Methodist Church, was secured for the summer months. Additions to the Parsonage (now the Associate Parsonage) were made: a new two-car garage and storage room were added; and central air conditioning was added to the heating unit. 

 

With the opening of the IAH Airport and the booming Houston economy that started in the early-1960s, the area north of Houston

and around Humble began a period of rapid growth, which continues today. The Houston Board of Missions began to establish new churches in the area, under the Room to Grow program. Several new Methodist churches were established in the area: Spring Woods UMC west of I 45 in Spring in 1960; Lake Houston UMC in Huffman in 1961; Friendship UMC in Porter in 1968; Kingwood UMC in 1972; Cypress Trails UMC in Spring in 1980; Strawbridge UMC in Kingwood in 1983; and Atascocita UMC in 1984. This church has always been supportive of the new Methodist churches with money, members and moral support. 

 

In March 1969 the Church Conference voted to purchase the Humble Funeral Home Property and Flower Shop on the southwest corner of Avenue G and Main Street. The purchase, completed in July 1969, was made possible through a Church Bond Program for $40,000. Bonds were issued in September 1969 and purchase was completed.

 

In June 1969, Reverend David E. Williamson was appointed to this church having come from the Texas Conference Youth Director’s Office where he had served as director for nine years. Rev. Williamson instituted some new types of worship. New vestments of the four liturgical colors were purchased through gifts from the Memorial Fund of the church. This church has been very active through the years in the Humble Area Interfaith Council (formerly the Interfaith Worship Committee), with Rev. Williamson having been chairman of both groups. Improvements in the church properties continued. We were able to purchase the L. L. Miller property, located next to our present property along Avenue H to the corner of Granberry. This addition gave us ownership of the entire block of 800 Main Street bounded by Avenue G, Avenue H, Granberry and Main Streets. 

In 1970, the Church Office and Pastor’s Study were moved into the newly purchased property, formerly Humble Funeral Home. New office equipment and furnishings helped to make the office more efficient and available to the people of the church and community. Prior to 1970 the pastor’s Study and church offices were located in the small back rooms on the first floor of the Chapel. The present Bell Choir room was the choir room.     

 

During the seven years, of Rev. Williamson’s pastorate, our church school program improved through the use of Team Teaching. The Church School rooms in the Chapel Building were remodeled and redecorated. New furniture was added to all the church school rooms; new audio-visual equipment was added to the Library. All of these additions were made possible through our Memorial Funds and people who care.

 

A 1976 quote from our then pastor, David Williamson, summed it up well. “This church through the years has met its responsibilities to the connectional church (United Methodist) and responds generously to any special appeal or special need. But the most important things that can be said in this regard is that the church’s business is handled so well that we can give our attention to the real business of the church:

to celebrate God’s word of Love in worship; to live God’s word of Love in fellowship and service, and to share God’s Word of Love in witness and ministry to others.  This is ‘The Father’s business’ in which we are engaged in this community of Humble in the year of our Lord 1976.”

 

In 1976 a young pastor, Reverend Larry R. Kelley, was appointed here, and he and his family (wife and 3 children) moved into the parsonage at Main Street and Avenue H. The Kelley family had a fourth child before the church was able to obtain a larger parsonage. During the pastorate of Larry Kelley the church grew at unprecedented rates. Many of the surrounding residential communities were started and were expanded during the Kelley years, including: Kingwood, Atascocita, Foxwood and Kenswick. 

 

In January 1978 Lynn Moore became our first full time Youth Director. He, his young wife Jill and their infant daughter, lived in the apartment on the second floor of the old funeral home building. In August 1979 Lynn went off to seminary, and Brad Ramsey began as youth director, living in the same apartment. When he went off to seminary after a year, Mark Wilding became Youth Director. 

 

In the fall of 1976 the Mother’s Day Out (MDO) program was started. This was one of Larry Kelley’s visions aimed at growing the church. Denise Silvey formally became the Director in 1977 and Jolene Smutz became her Music Director and assistant. Initially, the MDO office was located in a corner of the Fellowship Hall, but later moved to the room in the back of the Chapel, which is now the library. MDO utilized the four classrooms in the Sunday School wing and the Fellowship Hall. Gayle Sampley joined the MDO staff and took over as director in 1981. The popularity of the program grew, and in 1984 the State of Texas certification was obtained, allowing the school to become a pre-school and Kindergarten, in addition to the MDO program. The name of the program was changed to Children’s Weekday Ministries (CWM). Mary Jo Neidinger was the first Director of CWM. Other Directors and key staff members have been: Lynn Harper, Mary Roberts, Kim Brake, Nancy Swannie, Jane McCary, Nancy Anderson, Martha Hendricks, Shirley Novotny, Betty Eshleman, and. Sue Ellen Logan.    

 

The present sanctuary was constructed in the late 1970’s and dedicated at a “Homecoming and 72d Birthday Celebration” in February 1980. Initially, worshipers sat in folding chairs, and the space was used as a large Fellowship Hall in addition to worship space. It was during this period that the Harvest of Years Celebrations that honor our members 70 years of age and older began. After the pews were installed, the Harvest of Years was moved to the Lakeland Elementary School cafeteria for a few years. Pews were added to the Sanctuary in 1985, with several families in the church donating pews in honor or memory of loved ones. A plaque in the back of the Sanctuary commemorates the installation of the pews.    The stained glass windows, added to the Sanctuary in 1983, were built by Robert Grawl, a member of the church who owned a stained glass studio in Humble. Once the new Sanctuary was completed, the old Sanctuary became the Chapel. The early Sunday morning worship service continues to be held in the Chapel, as well as numerous weddings and other special events.

 

 At the time the new Sanctuary was being completed in 1980, the membership records were examined to determine some of the members that had been a part of the church for the longest period of time. It was determined that in 1980 there were 14 members that joined the church prior to 1940. They were: Q. Bell Tooke–1916, Hazel Blair–1918, Hervey Street–1919, EstherDuran–1919, B. B. Schott-1922, Jewell Wilpitz-1923, Bernice Herron-1923, Vera White-1926 (who taught the Cunningham Class for many years), Louise Cezeaux-1928, Lester Winter-1928, Bennett Bagby-1928, Violet Charpiot-1929, Esther Deckard-1929, and Mildred Bond-1935. The families of many of these people are still a part of our church today. 

Late in 1980 a new parsonage was purchased for the Kelley family, located in North Hollow. After the Kelley family moved, Mark Wilding (Youth Director) and his wife moved into the old parsonage for a few months. Our growing church made it possible to obtain an Associate Pastor. The former senior parsonage at Main Street and Avenue H became the home for our Associate Pastor, and in June 1981 our first Associate Pastor was appointed, Buddy Burton. Other Associate Pastors have been: Brad Ramsey, George Cathcart, Carolyn Case, David Banks, Nathan Hodge, and Mario Parga. Additionally, Rev. Maggie Young from Mount Corinth UMC lived in our Associate Parsonage for a short time. One of our early Youth Directors, Brad Ramsey, worked here a year, then went off to seminary, and returned a few years later as our second Associate Pastor. Brad Ramsey used to love to sing a favorite hymn, and when he introduced it liked to say, “Trust and Obey, or you’ll rust and decay”.  

 

The Church and its programs continued to expand during the early and mid-1980s. The United Methodist Women started the Gurley Lee Epps Scholarship program and awarded the first scholarship in 1981. One of Reverend Larry Kelley’s continuing themes, included in many of his sermons was, “Live on 80% of what you earn, save 10%, and give God 10%”. The Jones family donated a house and lot across Granberry to the church and the old house was used as a youth and Sunday school building for several years before the lot was cleared. The property across Main Street at Avenue H was acquired, and became our first concrete paved parking lot. With the much-increased space for worship, the church was able to offer enlarged worship programs at special times of the year. Under the direction of Judy Williams, The Chancel Choir, drama ministries, and others put spectacular Christmas Pageants, Easter Cantatas, and Patriotic Services together. Each has become special in the life of the church and community.

 

The original Chapel, built by the membership in 1931-32, contained a bell tower on the southeast corner of the building. During Hurricane Alicia in 1983, the bell tower was substantially damaged, and the bell was blown down into Avenue G. Before the bell tower could be rebuilt, the original bell was stolen. When the new Education building was completed in 1990, the present bell tower was constructed, and a bell, similar to the original Chapel bell was installed.             

 

Shortly after Judy Williams became Choir Director in 1974, she began the present tradition of taking the youth of the church on tour each summer. Initially, all the youth went on one tour, but as the tours’ popularity grew, two tours were done for many years, one for Senior High age youth, and a second tour for the Junior Highs. The following summarizes the Choir Tour programs for the past 28 years (Senior High/Junior High):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each tour is preceded by a church wide Bar-B-Q and cake auction on the grounds during mid-May. Most of the states from Florida to New Mexico and as far north as Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee have seen youth choir tours from First United Methodist Church in Humble, Texas. The youth also conduct Vacation Bible Schools or do other service projects while on tour. Numerous expressions of gratitude have been received, some of which are framed and are on display in the hall outside the choir room.

 

In 1987 a group of older adults got together and formed the Tried ‘N True Fellowship, affectionately called, TNT. The group meets monthly for lunch, and in addition conducts several other activities during the course of the year. In addition to the luncheon meetings and other local activities, the group likes to take trips. Trips were initially arranged by Bunnie Philipp, and later that task was handled by Susan Day. In July 1998, Jean Grawl our present travel coordinator, arranged her first trip for the group. Recently, the travelers have become known as “The Traveling Seniors”. They like to use the Precinct 4 buses, but for longer trips they take chartered buses.      

 

During the pastorate of Fred Carter it became clear that more space was needed for staff offices, Sunday school classes, youth and children’s ministries. In 1987 a Building Committee was established with Bob Davis as chairman, Purvis Harper as Vice-Chairman, and dedicated members Ray Fleming, Kelly Hendricks, Tommy Lee, Becky Medley, Wes Van Natta, Carl Phillips, Denise Silvey, Bob Williams,

and Judy Williams. During that year the Cornerstone Building Campaign was begun to provide the financing for plans to build a new two-story education and administration building that had an adjoining, multi-purpose gymnasium and family-life center. The existing, stand-alone fellowship hall and children’s classroom wing were to be renovated and integrated into the new building. While funds to build

the gymnasium and family-life center could not be obtained, additional funding to complete a new choir room was donated. (You can still see the brick knockout panels on the east wall of the building where the entrances to the adjoining gymnasium and family-life center were to be placed.) The Building Committee also gives special mention to John Hoyt, without whose legal and other assistance the building program would not have been the success it was. On January 28, 1990 the building project was completed and a special dedication service was held. Joining the Reverend Bill Holt for those ceremonies were previous ministers Fred Carter and Larry Kelly, and John Carson from Brookstone Corporation, the contractor for the building project. The plaque near the entrance of the new building declares to the world that, “Jesus is the Cornerstone”. The overall building program, included renovation of the Sunday School wing and Fellowship Hall. The stained glass in the Fellowship Hall was designed by Nancy Grawl Anderson and built and donated by Robert Grawl, all as a part of the overall building upgrades.   When the new Education building was completed, the old Humble Funeral Home building was torn down and the land across Avenue G from the Chapel was made into a parking lot. Also, during the pastorate of Fred Carter, his wife Dorothy died of a liver disease. Following her death, The United Methodist Women conducted fund raising activities to buy hand bells. In 1988 the bells were purchased in her memory, and the Dorothy Carter Memorial Hand Bell Choir was established.

 

During the mid-1980s a group of church members under the direction of Mrs. Justus (Nina) Smith began work to establish the Chapel building as a Historic building. On July 26, 1987 the church and the Harris County Historical Commission dedicated the Historical Marker in front ofthe Chapel. The dedication ceremony, “Homecoming and 80^th Birthday”, included a picnic on the grounds, a choir program, games, and watermelon in addition to the dedication of the historical marker. 

 

In April 1991 a beautiful, new concert grand piano was donated to the church and has been in use in the Sanctuary ever since.  The piano was given by the family of our accompanist, Bobbie Hughes, in memory of her uncle.

 

In June 1992 Jane Cannon and Laura Wackerman took four youth from the church to Orange, Texas for this church’s first UM Army trip. Since that time, UM Army has become a large and popular program each summer when our youth and adult counselors go off to do service work in other communities. They paint, built wheel chair ramps, and do general maintenance and yard work for elderly and less privileged families. In addition, our church has hosted UM Army camps for others here in the Humble area. 

 

During the pastorate of John Birkelbach, Roy Kinkaid, Jim deMasi and others established the current Boy Scout Troop 9 in February 1993. The troop has produced 28 Eagle Scouts to date, and continues to be an important part of the church’s youth programs. Numerous Eagle Scout projects have helped to enhance the church properties with interior painting, concrete sidewalks, insulation of the Chapel attic, parking lot striping, and other projects.   Boy Scout Sunday is recognized each February, and the scouts participate in our Patriotic Service

and other activities. Scouting is strongly supported by the United Methodist Church, and several of our pastors are Eagle Scouts, including Larry Kelley and E. B. Beasley, Jr. 

 

In 1995 this church participated with other local churches in establishing a program to house homeless families, called Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). The program continued with our active involvement until 2006 when it was discontinued.          

 

Also, in 1996, the Memorial Tree was acquired and placed in the Fellowship Hall above the fireplace. Leaves are engraved and placed on the tree in memory of loved ones, or to honor friends, family members, or special events.     

 

During the pastorate of Anthony J. (Tony) Vinson, several important changes took place at the church. A New Life fund raising campaign was developed with Geoff Olney and Norma Blankenship as co-chairs. It began with a kickoff service at the Humble Civic Center in April 2002. Larry Kelley preached and many church alumni returned for the occasion. More than $500,000 in “New Life Funds” was raised as a result of the program. With the funds raised as a result of the New Life Campaign, we have been able to accomplish several things at the church. We were able to pay down our debt, purchase several pieces of adjacent property, pave and light parking lots across Main Street and across Avenue G, install computerized projection equipment in the Sanctuary, remodel the kitchen and Fellowship Hall, and complete the renovation of the Chapel among other things. With acquisition of new adjacent properties, the church now owns all four corners at Main Street and Avenue G, and the entire frontage along Avenue G across from the Chapel. Some of the property has been converted to parking, but other is presently green space.

 

In July 1997 the Merry Widows fellowship was founded by Mrs. Chuck (Helen) Terpstra, Mrs. Jasper (Dorothy) Snellings, Mrs. Robert (Jean) Grawl, Mrs. Howard (Carole) Williams, and Mrs. Terry (Louise) Mitchell. Each of their husbands had passed away during the preceding months. The initial group of five ladies has grown to more than 60 widows today, serving the entire Humble interfaith community. The group meets monthly for lunch at Steak and Ale, for fellowship, support, prayer, and love, and along with the TNT participates in various other activities, including frequent games of “Chicken foot”. Many of the Merry Widows participate in the trips of the “Traveling Seniors”. This church truly has the best combination of senior adult programs of any church in the Houston area. 

 

During the spring of 2002 this church established a relationship with a local Spanish speaking Christian worship group, Unidad Cristiana Para La Cosecha Hispana, to use the Chapel for worship services on Sunday afternoons. This arrangement continued until early 2007 when the group had grown and prospered enough to be able to obtain their own property.   

 

In 2003 a parsonage committee was established to evaluate the then present North Hollow senior parsonage, and make recommendations regarding upgrades or replacement.   Michael Buckner led the committee. As a result of the committee’s evaluations and recommendations, a new parsonage for our Senior Pastor was authorized by the Charge Conference in 2003. The new parsonage, located in Eagle Springs, was purchased in February 2004 and the North Hollow parsonage was sold in August of 2004, after the Vinson family moved. 

 

In 2004 the Music Ministries of the Church honored three members for their long-term participation in the music programs of the church: Joyce Williams (55 years), Dorothy Snellings (54 years), and John Hoyt (31 years). In 1964 the choir gave two oak trees to Joyce Williams. Take a look at the trees today at her home, across Granberry from the parking lot on Avenue H. Only God can make a tree.

As Humble and the local area have changed in recent years, this church has introduced programs and ministries to serve the local area. Our long-standing relationship with the Humble Area Assistance Ministries (HAAM) continues. New ministries aimed at serving underprivileged families have been initiated. Feed My Lambs was started in 2005 by Sally deMasi to feed shut-ins, and later a program to feed low-income children called Saturday’s Kids was initiated here. The Saturday’s Kids program has been expanded and picked up by several other area churches and local businesses. A blood drive is conducted here 3 or 4 times each year. Several mission trips have been organized recently as a part of the conference program, Partners in Mission. During the pastorate of Wayne Middleton, his wife Connie made some beautiful handmade altar cloths and gave them to the church. Ed Hirst has established a prison ministry, called Kairos. Several of our members participate in PieceMakers, which is a group of ladies that make quilts for underprivileged families. We continue as a Red Cross shelter, having been activated three times in the past 10 years. Twice we were filled with refugees; once during Tropical Storm Allison, and again during Hurricane Rita. 

 

The mission of our church is the same as it has always been, and is summarized in our mission statement, “The Mission of First United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ by sharing our faith and caring for all people.” As long time member, Jean Grawl, recently put it, “Isn’t it wonderful that after 100 years this church is alive and well, and still influencing lives for God. Lets hope for the same for another 100 years.”

 

The First United Methodist Church in Humble, Texas is made up of the people…God’s people. The group of buildings on Main Street is the place where we come. We come to the special place on Main Street to pray, to worship, to sing praises, to feel God’s touch. We come to receive communion, the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for each one of us. We come for Baptisms; we come for weddings, we come for funerals. We come faithfully, seeking God, seeking forgiveness, sometimes just to sit quietly with the Holy Spirit; at other times for fellowship with friends and family. We come to be fed. We come to learn. We come to grow. We come to serve. We have come for generations. Each of us comes for our own reasons. It is a special place. God is here. We have met Him here for a hundred years. He lives here, and in the hearts of each of us. Continue to bless us, God.   Amen.                  

 

   

In 2006 plaques that record the Pastorates of the church and dates served were placed in the narthex of the Chapel and in the hall near the Fellowship Hall, given by church members in honor of the ministry of Larry R. Kelley.