Travis Park United Methodist Church
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Founded by the Rev. John Wesley DeVilbiss (1818-83), missionary to Republic of Texas, who in 1844 preached first protestant sermon ever heard in San Antonio and in June 1846 organized his congregation in the courthouse. Villagers called him"the little priest that owns the bell, "as he rang calls to worship from vacant lot bought for church on Commerce Street and afterward preached there. The earliest methodist building was a chapel erected in 1852 on Soledad Street and named for Bishop Paine. Cultural life of the city was enriched in 1859 when San Antonio female college, later the University of San Antonio, opened in Paine Chapel. This institution was to merge with others nearly a century later to form trinity University (1942). The Travis Park edifice was begun in pastorate of Dr. W.J. Young (1882) with S.C. Bennett, Francis Crider, G. H. Johnston, James T. Thornton, W.L. Thompson, and William Votaw on building committee. Additions (1901,1910,1922,1941) modified the Romanesque Revival architecture. A 1955 fire prompted major remodeling. Memorial windows depict the congregation's history. Pastors have included many noted men, five having been elected bishops.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Travis Park United Methodist Church traces its roots to the Rev. John Wesley DeVilbiss, a missionary to the Republic of Texas who preached the first Protestant sermon ever heard in San Antonio in 1844 and organized his congregation in the courthouse in 1846. Villagers knew him as "the little priest that owns the bell" for the calls to worship he rang from a vacant lot. From an 1852 chapel — which in 1859 also housed an early women's college that helped seed Trinity University — the congregation grew into the Romanesque Revival edifice begun in 1882.
Why it matters
The church marks the arrival of Protestant worship and organized education in a San Antonio still shaped by its Spanish and Mexican Catholic past.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Buckhorn Saloon and Museumnearby
- Alamo Vistor Center and Museum (coming 2027)0.2 mi away
- Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks0.2 mi away
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium0.2 mi away
- Visitor's Center Museum0.3 mi away
- Ralston Family Collections Center0.3 mi away
Attractions
- River boat boarding0.2 mi away
- River boat boarding0.3 mi away
- Sea Life Aquarium0.3 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- La Villita0.4 mi away
- River boat boarding0.4 mi away
- boat ride boarding0.5 mi away
Food & drink
- Texas de Brazilnearby · 313 East Houston Street, San Antonio
- La Vida Coffee & Drinksnearby · 106 Jefferson Street
- Playland Pizza0.1 mi away
- Voodoo Donut0.1 mi away
- The Local Bar0.1 mi away
- Landry's Seafood House0.1 mi away · 517 North Presa Street, San Antonio, TX
Places to stay
- Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio Downtown - Riverwalk, TXnearby · 603 Navarro Street, San Antonio, TX
- The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonionearby · 300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX
- Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonionearby · 205 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
- Wyndham Riverside Suites0.1 mi away · 218 College Street, TX
- Hilton Garden Inn San Antonio Downtown Riverwalk0.1 mi away · 408 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
- Omni La Mansión del Rio0.1 mi away · 112 College Street, San Antonio
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · John Wesley DeVilbiss
Themes & tags
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