New Braunfels in Comal County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First United Methodist Church

Photographed by James Hulse, April 11, 2022

1. First United Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. In the 1850s, Methodism spread across south Texas and into New Braunfels. Many German-speaking immigrants in communities like New Braunfels would be converted to Methodism. In 1853 a circuit rider, Rev. Henry P. Young, established the New Braunfels congregation as part of a circuit which included other German-speaking congregations in the area. This action was followed by the appointment of Rev. J.W. DeVilbiss as the presiding elder of the German district which covered all of Texas. Living in New Braunfels, DeVilbiss trained ministers and gathered German-speaking converts to Methodism. In 1858, a church building was constructed in the Comaltown area of New Braunfels on Union Street. Among the converts was the Karbach family who strongly supported the growing church community by hosting Sunday School, preaching and hosting camp meetings on their ranch. By 1913, the Methodist community had grown and a new church building named Karbach Memorial Methodist Church was constructed on west San Antonio Street. In 1916 the church was no longer on a circuit. Over the next decades, the church moved from German-speaking to bilingual to English-speaking.

By 1952 membership passed 500. That year a new sanctuary was built on the San Antonio Street site and renamed First Methodist Church. By 1980 membership surpassed 1000. In 2005, to continue its mission of outreach, the congregation sponsored a daughter church, Gruene United Methodist Church. Today both congregations are thriving and continuing to serve god and the people of the area.

Erected 2015 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18183.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 29° 41.939′ N, 98° 7.713′ W. Marker is in New Braunfels, Texas,

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in Comal County. It is at the intersection of West San Antonio Street and Clemens Avenue, on the right when traveling south on West San Antonio Street. The marker is located in front of the church next to the church bell near the ground. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 572 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels TX 78130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of New Braunfels Academy (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The New Braunfels Academy (about 700 feet away); Old New Braunfels High School (about 700 feet away); International & Great Northern Railroad in New Braunfels (approx. 0.2 miles away); New Braunfels 1918 Fire Station

The First United Methodist Church Bell and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 11, 2022

2. The First United Methodist Church Bell and Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Louis Henne Co. (approx. ¼ mile away); Plumeyer Bakery Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Emmie Seele Faust Memorial Library (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Braunfels.

The view of the First United Methodist Church and Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 11, 2022

3. The view of the First United Methodist Church and Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 383 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.