Mt Vernon UMC Houston

Our Journey of Faith and Love

Our Ministries
Building a Community of Compassion

Bible Study

Being true to the word of God requires regular study. Members and non-members are welcome to join in the Wednesday Bible Study designed to bring believers closer to God. The group commits to a weekly meeting. In this time they work together to develop a deeper understanding of the Bible and an appreciation of each other’s perspectives and insights on the Bible and Christianity.

The Board of Trustees

The Trustees oversee, maintain and supervise all church property. They are also responsible in conjunction with the Pastor for all use of the church buildings and grounds. We work together with our Pastor and offer him support and encouragement.

Caring Ministry

Caring for and witnessing to others is one of our most important duties as Christians. The Caring Ministry provides ongoing contact through visits, telephone calls, and cards to sick and shut-in, and mature Mt. Vernon church members. By reaching out to others we reach out to God.

Communication

The purpose of the Communication Ministry is to inform and educate members and non-members alike about the various events and services taking place at the church. We do this by publishing a monthly newsletter the Roving Eye, maintaining our social media presence by using both Facebook and Twitter and by monitoring and updating our website.

Hospitality & Greeters

The Hospitality and Greeters Ministry provides friendly smiles and warm welcomes to members and visitors from the parking lot to the sanctuary. Greeters, ushers and parking attendants are part of this ministry.

Junior & Adult Ushers

To greet those who enter the church with a smile and a warm welcome and direct them to their seats. To meet, greet and seat all those who enter Mt. Vernon UMC. To extend to each visitor and member a friendly greeting so they will be in the right frame of mind to receive the message from the Pastor. To be in attendance at all functions of the church and to support our Pastor at all time.

The Music Ministry

is a vital part of Worship (Witness) Ministries in the church:

Our goal is to share God’s word, usher in His presence and connect the congregation, the pastor, and ourselves with God on a deeper spiritual level through the gift of song.

We strive:

To enhance, encourage and promote the worship experience
To support the various and diverse ministries associated with the church
To preserve the traditional hymns, gospel and spirituals of the church, as well as utilize the contemporary songs of praise in order to minister to all age groups.
To promote and encourage growth in the music department by encouraging those individuals and groups within the church and community to share their talents.
To provide meaningful, scripture based musical presentations for all worship services in the church and throughout the community.

Mt. Vernon Praise Dance Ministry

The mission is to minister to the body of Christ the heart of God, through movement and creative expressions of praise, worship, and prayer.

Nominations and Leadership Development

The charge of this committee is to identify, develop, deploy, evaluate and monitor Christian spiritual leadership for the local congregation. Members of the committee shall engage in and be attentive to developing and enhancing their own Christian spiritual life in light of the mission of the Church.

Prayer

The Prayer Ministry prays for the needs and concerns of the membership. Ministry members also pray weekly for the issues and ills that plague our society. We have telephone prayer calls, prayer concern cards available for people to fill out weekly and offer other methods for members to share prayer concerns.

Sunday School

Sunday School provides children, youth and adults with bible training, bible study and wholesome Christian activities to build a firm foundation for Christian living.

United Methodist Men (UMM)

Mt. Vernon United Methodist Men strive to be a creative, supportive fellowship of men who seek to know Jesus Christ, to grow spiritually, and to seek daily his will. Our primary purpose is to declare the centrality of Christ in the lives of men and in all their relationships. All men at Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church are welcome and encouraged to attend a monthly meeting held by the United Methodist Men, enjoy each other’s fellowship and plan various ministry outreaches.

Women of Faith (UMW)

Mt. Vernon United Methodist Women is a community of women whose purpose is to become closer to God and experience freedom as a whole person through Jesus Christ. United Methodist Women strive to develop a creative supportive fellowship and expand the concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

Youth & Children Ministry (YAC)

At Mt. Vernon it is our mission to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment so that our children may grow in their spirituality and become productive Christians” Reflecting God’s love, we give the children a Christian education, lead them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and encourage them to grow in Christian faith.

Mount Vernon United Methodist Church's history dates back to 1865, two years before Methodism spread in Texas. First known as "Uncle Toby's Church Under the Hill," it was located on Vine at Shea Street on the edge of Buffalo Bayou. Emanuel Toby, a black minister, was given permission by his slave master, Darius Gregg, to build a church on one acre of his property for the purpose of worshipping. Uncle Toby and a few of his followers gathered brush and built the first church which was called the "Brush Arbor Church Under the Hill" where all races and creeds worshipped together. In 1867, Darius Gregg sold the land to Uncle Toby for five dollars ($5).

By 1867, the name of the church was changed from "Toby's Church" to "Union Church." Rev. Charles Bryant, a West Indian, was assigned as pastor (1867-1868). The church property was valued at $400, and the congregation consisted of 50 members. During the pastorate of Rev. Elias Dibble (1868-1869) and Rev. William Brown (1869-1871), the church grew tremendously. Under Rev. Dibble, the first Sunday School was organized with one teacher and 48 pupils.

Emanuel Toby Gregg and his wife Eva sold the "Toby Acre" for $550 in gold coins to the Trustees of Union Church one year after Darius Gregg's death in 1870. Trustees involved in this transaction were Peter Noble, James Todd, Harry Clinton, Emmanuel Vanhook and Charles Wright. In 1871, these Trustees and members built the original frame church located on Vine Street. Under the leadership of Rev. V. M. Cole (1871-1874), the church was rebuilt with a value of $3,500. The membership increased to 306. After this period of growth, Union Church became known as Second Church of Houston.

As Second Church of Houston, pastorates were rendered under Rev. Paul Douglas (1874-1875), Rev. J. S. Whitaker (1875-1876), and Rev. W. B. Pullam (1876-1878). Under the leadership of Rev. Jesse Shackleford (1878-1880), the name of the church was changed to Mount Vernon Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Spencer Hardwell (1880-1881) served as pastor and was followed by Rev. C. C. Minnegan (1881-1882), Rev. R. R. Roberts (1882-1883), and Rev. Isom Snell (1883-1884). Rev. Minnegan (1884-1886) returned to serve as pastor for a second time.

During Rev. Freeman Parker's pastorate (1886-1889), the church was destroyed by a storm on October 10, 1888. Under his leadership the church was rebuilt, and the cornerstone was laid on Vine Street in 1889. Rev. Edward Lee (1890-1892) oversaw the payment of the debt on the new church. Rev. H. S. McMillan (1893-1894), a Jamaican, was appointed pastor and followed by Rev. Freeman Parker (1894-1895), Rev. William Wesley (1896-1897), and Rev. Paul P. H. Jenkins (1897-1898).

Rev. C. C. Minnegan (1899-1902) returned for the third time as pastor. Tragically, the church was destroyed by the 1900 storm. Members salvaged pieces of lumber from the Vine Street property to use in the new structure. Shortly after the storm, the Trustees purchased a lot on Jensen Drive at Burnett Street for ($450) for the erection of the new church. Under Rev. Joshua O. Williams (1903-1904), the church debt was paid in full and the mortgage was burned. He was followed by Rev. Frank Cary (1905-1906), Rev. W. A. Fortson (1907-1908), and Rev. K. W. McMillan (1908-1910).

During the period of 1908-1914, the name of the church was changed from Mount Vernon to "The People's Church." However, due to a financial relationship between the church and the Board of Missions and Church Extension, the name was officially changed again to Mount Vernon. Leadership followed under Rev. James I. Gilmore (1911-1914), Rev. T. M. Jackson (1915-1917), Rev. Edward H. Holden (1918-1920), and Rev. G. E. D. Belcher (1921-1923).

During Rev. A. Wade Carr's appointment (1924-1929), the parsonage burned. Two lots on which the present parsonage is located were bought. The present parsonage was built during the pastorate of Rev. W. D. Lewis (1929-1932). During this time there was substantial growth in the building fund and membership.

Be a source of enjoyment. It was also during Rev. Brownlow's Rev. A. J. Newton (1932-1935) served when the present church building was erected and the old church building was transformed into the educational building. Rev. W. H. Hightower (1936-1940) kept the note on the new church paid despite the Depression. The church improved physically and spiritually with a rapidly increasing membership. Rev. L. A. Greenwood (1940-1945) served when the debt of $7,000 was paid in full, the mortgage was burned, and the building was refurbished.

During the administration of Rev. L. V. Winfield (1945-1950), a recreational center employing a religious social worker was instituted. During this time there were three adult choirs. They were Choir No. l, Dr. P. D. Foster, Director/Organist; Choir No. 2, Mrs. Hazel E. Lewis, Director/ Organist; and Choir No. 3, Mrs. Addie Mae Sharp, Director/Organist. These adult choirs were the forerunners of the Wesleyan Chancel Choir. In addition, the Youth Choir, under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Willis, enriched the Music Department with the purchase of a piano.

During the pastorate of Rev. Alonzo W. Harley, Sr. (1950-1958), the present educational building was erected. The Wesley family sold land to the church for a parking lot and made contributions to the educational building. Ms. Altha Silas began her tenure as church secretary in 1950 and would continue to give dedicated service to the church for more than fifty years.

The Music Department was greatly enhanced at this time by the purchase of a Wurlitzer Organ. Church choirs now included the First Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Hazel Lewis Anderson; the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Addie Mae Sharp, and the Youth Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Geraldine Foster Willis. The Music Department was further enhanced by the services of Dr. P. D. Foster, Mrs. Lucille Huey, Mrs. A. N. McKinney, Mrs. John L. (Ada) Canada, Mrs. Maryella Price, Mrs. Bertha Cambrice and Miss Janice Tarver.

The tenure of Rev. Curtis Shedwell Weaver (1958-1963) included the purchase of additional property to the rear of the church for a parking lot and the addition of air conditioning to the building. Rev. Cosum M. Luster's pastorate (1963-1964) was shortened by terminal illness, but his spirit of friendliness will always be remembered.

The ministry of Rev. Richard H. Robinson (1964-1968) began our second century with the celebration of our 100th Anniversary. Following this historic milestone, Rev. Felix W. Logan (1968-1970), Rev. Phylemon Titus (1970-1972), and Rev. W. L. Brownlow (1972-1974) successfully led the congregation during their ministries. The present Allen Organ, purchased during Rev. W. L. Brownlow's pastorate, continues to ministry that the Mount Vernon Social Service Center opened in 1974. It fulfilled the need for outreach to the community for many years.

Following in his father's footsteps, Rev. Simon Snell (1975-1978) served the church nearly ninety-one years after Rev. Isom Snell. Rev. Andrew Brown, Sr. (1978-1982) initiated plans to remodel the church as it stands today. Rev. Cornelius C. Jammer, Sr. (1982-1988) oversaw the completion of the remodeling, the purchase of the property directly in front of the church, and the addition of Carillon Bells donated by Mrs. Geraldine Foster Willis. The bells were a memorial gift to her father and mother, Thomas and Ellene Foster, and her brother, Dr. Percy D. Foster, the first Minister of Music at the church.

Rev. Rodney J. Booker (1988-1997) initiated the Shalom Zone ministry which resulted in a free community clinic for residents of Fifth Ward. He also developed a coalition for community development with other area ministers.

Rev. Dr. Francis E. W. Guidry (1997-2003) was involved in pastoral education. Rev. Dr. Lewis L. Jackson, Sr. (2003-2011) served during the remodeling of the sanctuary.

Under Rev. Kenneth B. Green (2011-2018), a surge of growth in the Children and Youth Ministries occurred. The Trustees made a number of improvements to the church, including the installation of air conditioning throughout the building and landscaping to enhance the church grounds. They also partnered with the Children and Youth Ministry to remodel the Educational Building.

Rev. Deborah Giles (2018-2022) guided the congregation through the challenging times of the United Methodist Church disaffiliations and the global pandemic, during which the church’s online presence was expanded. The Church Council established the Rev. Kenneth B. Green Youth Scholarship, and the Trustees managed the eminent domain sale of a portion of the church’s property to Harris County Toll Road Authority.

Rev. Herbert Addison (2023-2024) continued to strengthen our online presence and deepen our connection with the Texas Southern University Wesley Foundation. He also contemporized the chancel area of the sanctuary.

Bishop Cynthia Harvey appointed Rev. Dr. Vastine Watson, Jr. to the Mount Vernon church family as of January this year. He is renewing the church’s commitment to the community. Our outreach now includes hosting the Legacy Clinic PlayGroup for infants and young children, serving as a meeting place for Harris County Toll Road Authority Detention Pond Project and the Fifth Ward Super Neighborhood Group, and expanding programs to feed the community.

The 160th Anniversary Celebration of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church culminates in December of this year. From "Uncle Toby's Church Under the Hill" in 1865 to Mount Vernon United Methodist Church in the "Heart of Fifth Ward, Texas", in 2025, we have come a long way. In the years ahead, may we continue our mission —thriving as "The People's Church," providing spiritual growth through vibrant worship and evangelistic outreach to the people of the Houston community. People reaching people for Jesus Christ!