Lakehills United Methodist Church
Lakehills, Texas

A Brief History of Lakehills United 
Methodist Church

In the spring of 1956, teams from the Bandera Methodist Church surveyed the Medina Lake Area to see if there was a need for a mission church.

The Southwest Texas Conference decided to work through the Bandera Methodist Church and their pastor, David Stewart.  June 14, 1959, AB Lewis, a local pastor appointed to assist Rev. Stewart, led the first worship service for the Lakehills Methodist Mission.  The service was held in a tent on Robert and Irene Zigler's property located at 10th street and Ave J.  The sermon title was What It Means to Follow Jesus, there was 31 people in attendance, the offering was $14.14, and Sunday School Classes were organized that day.  By July 26, 1959, attendance had increased to 69.  

On August 2, 1959, the Medina Lake Methodist Church was organized with 23 charter members.  Mr. & Mrs. Zigler donated the land and AB Lewis became the first pastor.

The first fellowship hall was added in 1962, and the Medina Lake Volunteer Fire Department held their first meeting there.

In 1967, the church was remodeled and renamed.  All the remodeling work was done by members and friends of the newly renamed Lakehills United Methodist Church.   A Dedication Service and Mortgage Burning Ceremony was held in June of 1969.

Another remodeling project began in 1979.  A new sanctuary was built, the fellowship hall enlarged, and the office, nursery and choir room were all added during this project.  The Consecration Service for the new sanctuary was held on May 4, 1980. 

There was a parsonage added in 1988, and in 1992, a fund drive was held to raise money to build a new sanctuary.  Construction of the new building began in October of 1992, and it was consecrated in May of 1993 in a service with then District Superintendent Rev. Shirley Hill presiding.

In March of 2001 the first Annual Fish Fry, Auction, Games and More was organized.  This is Lakehills UMC's one big fund raiser of the year, and 2009 saw the nineth!

In October of 2002, the latest fund drive got off the ground.  With the this Capital Funds Campaign, Lakehills UMC has purchased a new parsonage in the Scenic Harbour subdivision, remodeled the kitchen in the fellowship hall, and re-paved the parking lot.  Lakehills UMC borrowed almost $300,000 from the bank for this project, and paid off the entire mortgage by April of 2008.