Downtown in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Travis Park United Methodist Church
("The Methodist Church", 1846; Paine Church, 1852-83)
— United Methodist Church Registered Historic Site No. 92 —
Photographed By Brian Anderson, April 20, 2019
1. Travis Park United Methodist Church Marker
Inscription.
Travis Park United Methodist Church. ("The Methodist Church", 1846; Paine Church, 1852-83). 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 site. In 1847 he helped Presbyterians build their adobe 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.
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 site. In 1847 he helped Presbyterians build their adobe 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 1973 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5553.)
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the United Methodist Church Historic Sites series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1846.
Location. 29° 25.646′ N, 98° 29.394′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Navarro Street and East Travis Street, on the left when traveling north on Navarro Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 230 East Travis Street, San Antonio TX 78205, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 339 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.
