Casa de Dios

Casa de Dios. . , First Methodist Church of Palacios founded Casa de Dios as a mission to Spanish-speaking people in 1912. Maria de los Santos donated the land. First Methodist and First Presbyterian worked together to enhance the success of the mission in the early years. In 1920, the property was transferred to the Presbytery of Mexico-Texas, and a few years later, it transferred to First Presbyterian. It was known for many years as "the Mexican mission" of the First Presbyterian Church of Palacios, and members of the mission were considered members of the church. The mission had 41 members by 1931. It was served by numerous volunteers, including W.H. Clement, Irene Batchelder, Mary Burnet, Nora Talmadge, Alice Barr, Rosa Flores and many others. In 1951, a house across from the church at Ninth and Morton was dedicated as a manse. The first pastor to live in the manse was the Reverend Bernardo del Pozo in 1953. , The mission was formally organized as the Second Presbyterian Church of Palacios on November 5, 1955. Second Presbyterian transferred 53 communicant members from first church. The first elders were Jacinto Garza Sr, Reynaldo Garza, Manuel Guajardo and Guadalupe Serna. Mary Garza Guajardo was the first treasurer, followed by Angela Flores in 1956. The women's circle, named "Messengers of Christ," and a young people's circle organized. An annex was built and dedicated on June 13, 1963. In the mid-1990s Second Presbyterian added the name "Casa de Dios" since its founding, the church has participated in outreaches, advocacy conferences and evangelism events. The decades-long work of many faithful hands continues to enrich the community.