We've been committed to building Christian faith in La Vernia since 1853

Brief History  The earliest records show that Rev. John S. McGhee, a Methodist Circuit Rider, held worship services in the area as early as 1853. La Vernia Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was officially established in 1876 with Rev. John E. Vernor as the pastor. The first church building was constructed later that year. 

From 1876 to 1881, the congregation met at the Brahman Masonic Lodge (which still stands at the  corner of FM 775 and D.L. Vest. The first chapel was constructed on Chihuahua Street across  FM 775 from La Vernia City Hall. 

On August 20, 1886, the Indianola Hurricane of 1886 hit the Texas coast. A tornado spawned by the storm struck La Vernia destroying the church. A new chapel was constructed on the same site on Chihuahua Street and dedicated in 1887. 

In 1968, the Methodist Church and the the Evangelical Brethren denominations merged to form the United Methodist Church. In 1970, Post Oak Evangelical Brethren Church merged into La Vernia UMC. 

On July 26, 1996, a new church building was consecrated at the current location Bluebonnet Road (FM 775). The next year, the 1887 Chapel was relocated from the site on Chihuahua street to its current location, a distance of about a quarter mile. In 2003, a Family Life Building was added. 

On August 26, 2017, Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas coast. The roof of the 1887 Chapel was torn off. The building was repaired and restored. Rededication was held March 23, 2019. 

Founding Members of La Vernia Methodist Church, 1876    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    Mr. and Mrs. George Washington Suttle