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History of our ChurchesMethodism began in Industry when in 1846 Rev. Henry Bauer, an ordained Methodist minister for the Methodist Episcopal Church for the Illinois Conference came to Texas with the intention of missionary work among the slaves. Because he was from the north, the slave owners mistrusted him and did not permit it. The Texas Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, gave Rev. Bauer an appointment as missionary among the German settlers in Texas. Distrust again caused him to lose his appointment. Rev. Bauer made his home in Industry and in the fall of 1847 organized and erected an independent church called the "Brother Church" of the Methodist Church. He served this church until 1854. From 1861 to 1865 while the Civil War was raging, the churches had a very hard time. Many of the German speaking pastors returned to the north. After the war ended a meeting was called at Cibolo to reunite the Methodist churches. Dr. Nast, pastor and elder of the German church, wrote to the Industry Churches saying the church property would go to the newly united church. This caused some of the members to withdraw and go back to the Methodist Church, South. At that time, Rev. Karl Biel was District Superintendent and Pastor of Industry Methodist Episcopal Church. When the church split, he was left with 67 remaining members without a church building. On Nov. 17, 1866, a meeting was held in the schoolhouse and a resolution was passed to build a new 28x40 feet church at an estimated cost of $1800.00. At great sacrifice, members donations of $1 to $100 augumented the more generous donations of some Industry businessmen. This building was dedicated on November 24, 1867. That is the building now restored. After 36 years of service by the two Methodist churches in Industry, the Methodist Church South was abandoned in 1903. The remaining members joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Many changes have taken place through the years. In 1939, the Methodist church formed the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1968, the Methodist Protestant Church united with the United Brethren Church and formed the United Methodist Church of which we are a part today. We are growing and today have 227 members. |
Last updated: 14-Feb-2004
The
Texas Conference of the Methodist Church, South held their conference
in Chappell Hill. At this time several men from Industry were served as
trial pastors. Many of the members were confused and did not know t owhich
church they were a part.