“Rooted in Faith, Radiating Love.” That’s the motto of Bethany United Methodist Church. It stands as a testament to its enduring presence in San Antonio. Let’s uncover its story.
Bethany United Methodist Church at 4102 Eisenhauer Road welcomes all. It offers English services at 9:00 am. Spanish services take place at 2:00 pm.
But there are more Methodist Churches in San Antonio. Asbury United Methodist Church is one of them. Coker United Methodist Church is also nearby.
Bethany United Methodist Church has a rich history. In the summer of 1883 several families felt a calling. They lived along Bethany Lane. They met in a small schoolhouse. These families wanted their own church. Reverend Ezekiel Richardson helped them. He was the pastor at Emory Church. Aaron Mackenzie, Joshua Mullinix, and Jesse Rhine joined the effort. They formulated plans for a new church building. Adam and Sarah Noll donated the land. They were ancestors of Doris Jean Jackson.
Construction started on October 14, 1883. It finished in about eight weeks. Church members donated materials and labor. Families from nearby farms also helped. The building featured fieldstone foundation walls. Timbers supporting the floor appeared hand-hewn. Walls and ceiling had wood-lath plaster. White clapboard covered the exterior. Green shutters accented the windows.
Around 1890-91, the vestibule was enlarged. The belfry was added. By 1905, a classroom appeared on the south side. A wood stove heated the building initially. In the 1930s, they added a coal-burning furnace and electricity.
In 1955, another classroom was added. This time it was on the east side. The building gained bathrooms and central heating. Renovations and improvements continued. Aluminum siding was installed. In 2008, a modern boiler replaced the old one.
Major construction occurred in 2003. Offices and classrooms were added. The main sanctuary rotated 180 degrees. This created the current layout. In 2009, the chapel was restored. The goal was to preserve its integrity. The plaster walls returned to their original condition.
Don McAvoy serves as Associate Pastor. He is an ordained Deacon. He has served in various leadership roles. These roles spanned churches and community agencies. He has worked with Coker UMC and FUMC Kerrville. He also contributed to McFarlin UMC in Norman, OK.
Bethany United Methodist Church stands firm today. It is rooted in faith. It continues to radiate love to all who enter. Its story is one of community. It is a story of devotion and constant evolution.