As early as 1853, Methodist services were held in the La Vernia area. In 1876, the La Vernia Methodist Episcopal Church South was established with Pastor John E. Vernor as pastor. The founding lay people were Mrs. B.S. Leach, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wolf, Dr. and Mrs. G.H. McMahon, Mr. and Mrs. Billie Newton, Dr. and Mrs. Graves, Mr. and Mrs. Camp, and Mr. and Mrs. George Washington Suttles. In August of 1886, the church was completely destroyed by a storm, but rebuilt soon after. It remains today as our Prayer Chapel. In 1968 the Methodist and Evangelical Brethren denominations merged to become the United Methodists. In 1970, the La Vernia Methodist and Post Oak Evangelical United Brethren Churches merged. In 1997, the Prayer Chapel was moved from the original location on Chihuahua Street to the present location on Bluebonnet. Our new sanctuary was built in 1996. The new Family Life Building was completed and dedicated in 2003.
Beliefs and Doctrines
Staff
Pastor - Stephen A. Curry. Steve Curry was appointed to La Vernia in July of 2013. Steve is a second career pastor serving in his first appointment. He worked 27 years as a computer programmer at Trinity University. He received his Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. His wife, Sharon, works at Trinity University and his son, Benjamin, attends Texas A&M San Antonio and serves in the Texas National Guard.
Contact Pastor Steve Curry at LVUMCPastor@Hotmail.com
Contact Pastor Steve Curry at LVUMCPastor@Hotmail.com
Youth Minister - Phillip Higginbotham. Phillip and his wife, Diana, moved to South Texas from the Dallas area in 2006. They have three daughters; Courtenay, Abigail and Elizabeth. Phillip has served in youth ministry in both volunteer and staff capacities for the eight years before coming to La Vernia UMC in 2015.
Contact Phillip at LVUMCYouth@Hotmail.com
Contact Phillip at LVUMCYouth@Hotmail.com
Director of Child Care Ministries - April Burns. April grew up at La Vernia UMC and was married in our sanctuary. She and her husband, Jeremiah, have a daughter Mckenna. Before joining us in 2018, April was the director of La Vernia Academy.
Contact April at LVUMCChildCare@Hotmail.com
Child Care's direct phone number: (830) 779-5117
Contact April at LVUMCChildCare@Hotmail.com
Child Care's direct phone number: (830) 779-5117
Administrative Assistant - Cheryl Cardenas. Cheryl previously worked for La Vernia United Methodist Church as our Wesley Nurse. She returned in 2015 as the Administrative Assistant working in the church office. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a nursing degree. Cheryl and her husband, Ricco, have two sons, Brennin and Scott. Rico is a firefighter for the San Antonio Fire Department.
Contact Cheryl through the main church e-mail address:LaVerniaUMC@Hotmail.com
Contact Cheryl through the main church e-mail address:LaVerniaUMC@Hotmail.com
Business Manager - Kim Santos. Kim Santos graduated from UTSA with a business degree specializing in human resource management. She began working for La Vernia UMC in 2016. Kim has been married for 22 years and has 3 kids, Sam, Sophia, and Ian. Her husband Cesar works for HEB.
Contact Kim at: LVUMCFinancial@Hotmail.com
Contact Kim at: LVUMCFinancial@Hotmail.com
Choir Director-Randy Cobb. Randy and his wife, Janice, have seven children: Kristen, Sandra, Brandon, Bethany, Megan, Brook and Zachary. From Odessa, Texas, Randy graduated from Southwest Texas St. Univ. in 1990 with a degree in Music Education. He has taught choral music in East Central ISD for 15 years. He has served as Music Director of Rolling Oaks Christian Church, Blanco UMC, Shepherd King Lutheran Church and Alamo UMC.
Pianist - Linda Summerfield. Linda plays the piano for the 8:30am worship service.
Worship Leader - Mike Rodriguez. Mike is an accomplished singer, guitarist, and keyboard player. Before joining us in 2015, Mike served as a praise band leader for Restoration Fellowship in Sarasota, Florida, and Sold Out Believers Church in San Antonio. He and his wife Samantha met at church while he was a Music Director. They have two sons, Michael Jr. (MJ) and Luke.