First United Methodist Church of Marble Falls celebrating 125th anniversary Feb. 16
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — There’s a fancy word for what a Marble Falls church is turning on Feb. 16, but instead of attempting to write it out, the simplest way to say it is probably best.
Happy 125th birthday to First United Methodist Church of Marble Falls.
“I would definitely say celebrating our 125th anniversary is rather significant,” said congregation member and anniversary event organizer Lynda Redler. “And you know what probably makes it even more significant is this is only the fourth building we’ve had in that time. We would have probably only had three. But the one built in 1975 burned in 1995.”
The church, 1101 Bluebonnet Drive, is holding a special service and celebration at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 16 to share the congregation’s history. Bishop James Dorff, who presides over the San Antonio Episcopal area of the United Methodist Church, will deliver the sermon.
The service also will include what organizers described as a blended selection of music, including traditional hymns and more contemporary selections.
Volunteers and staff have put together an extensive history of the church that tells the story of the congregation since it organized in 1889, though members began meeting in homes and other locations for about a year prior.
Redler said some significant parts of the exhibit include an artist-inspired painting of the original 1889 church.
“We couldn’t find any photos of the original church, but we did have several good descriptions,” Redler said. “From those descriptions, one of our artists was able to make a painting of what the church looked like. And we’ll have that on display.”
In 1914, the congregation built a second church that included several pieces of stained-glass windows. But at some point during a renovation or new construction, those windows were taken out and eventually dispersed.
“Many people grieved that we didn’t know where those pieces were,” Redler said. “Through this process (of organizing the anniversary), we’ve located most of those windows. The Llano County Museum had a couple and have agreed to loan them to us for the event. So, those will be on display.”
Of course, there will be displays about each of the buildings, including the current one that was built on the same grounds of the 1975 structure that burned. Local sculptor Dan Pogue is creating a bronze statue of Jesus with his hands extended in a welcoming manner that will be eventually placed outside the main entrance of the church in honor of the anniversary.
Though FUMC of Marble Falls is, well, in Marble Falls, its history actually starts in the rural sections of the county surrounding the community. Redler explained that the Methodist circuit-riding preachers were extremely active in Burnet and Llano counties with several stops in the area. This include chapels and congregations in the Fairland area, where Crownover Chapel still sits (though not active), and the Rockvale community southeast of town.
Members of those churches, especially the Rockvale stop, gathered in the late 1880s to form the Marble Falls church.
“In 1889, we had 12 charter members,” Redler said. “And we still have descendants of the 1914 church who go here.”
While there is a lot of focus on buildings, Redler pointed out a church isn’t about a structure but about the people.
“It’s all about the people inside,” she said. “In our church, we start the service with the acolytes bringing in the light when they come in and light the candles. Then, at the end of the service, they take that light back out.
“That’s what is so important about the Methodist church, and, I think, particularly this congregation. It’s not about how much you’re in church, it’s how much you take God’s love outside the church. It’s that light you take out into the world,” Redler said.
Everyone is invited to attend the service and celebrate with the congregation.
daniel@thepicayune.com