St. Paul United Methodist Church
Galveston, Galveston County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Founded in the late 1860s, St. Paul Methodist Church can trace its history through two earlier Methodist congregations in Galveston. Charter members of St. Paul Church included Methodists from the Reedy Chapel Methodist Church (originally part of the Ryland Chapel congregation), who broke away when that membership elected to join the African Methodist Episcopal denomination. The Rev. Samuel Osborn served as first pastor of the new church. A sanctuary was built on the eastern end of the island on Avenue H between 8th and 9th streets. A larger building was later erected to serve the growing congregation, but was destroyed in the 1900 storm. Under the leadership of the Rev. Frank Gary, the congregation acquired property at this site and built a new sanctuary in 1902. The church has continued to thrive here, serving many generations of Galveston families. It is known locally as the "Mother Church" of Galveston's Wesley Tabernacle United Methodist Church. St. Paul Methodist Church counts among its members descendants of some of its founding families. (1990)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in the late 1860s, St. Paul traces its roots through two earlier Galveston Methodist congregations, forming when members declined to follow others into the African Methodist Episcopal denomination and organized their own church under the Rev. Samuel Osborn. An early sanctuary was destroyed in the catastrophic 1900 storm, after which the congregation rebuilt at this site in 1902. Long known as a "Mother Church" of Galveston Methodism, it still counts descendants of its founding families among its members.
Why it matters
St. Paul's story illuminates the fluid, contested landscape of Black and biracial Methodism in Reconstruction-era Texas, when congregations divided and re-formed over denominational identity in the years after emancipation.
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Related people
- · Rev. Samuel Osborn
- · Rev. Frank Gary
Related events
- · 1900 Galveston hurricane
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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