St. Paul United Methodist Church

Founded in the late 1860s, St. Paul Methodist Church can trace its history through two earlier Methodist congregations in Galveston. Charter members of St. Paul Church included Methodists from the Reedy Chapel Methodist Church (originally part of the Ryland Chapel congregation), who broke away when that membership elected to join the African Methodist Episcopal denomination. The Rev. Samuel Osborn served as first pastor of the new church. A sanctuary was built on the eastern end of the island on Avenue H between 8th and 9th streets. A larger building was later erected to serve the growing congregation, but was destroyed in the 1900 storm. Under the leadership of the Rev. Frank Gary, the congregation acquired property at this site and built a new sanctuary in 1902. The church has continued to thrive here, serving many generations of Galveston families. It is known locally as the "Mother Church" of Galveston's Wesley Tabernacle United Methodist Church. St. Paul Methodist Church counts among its members descendants of some of its founding families. (1990)

St. Paul United Methodist Church is a historical marker in Galveston, Galveston County, dedicated in 1990. It is one of 283 historical markers documented in Galveston County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 373 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.3024, -94.7825 near Galveston. The nearest cataloged historic site is Carl and Hilda Biehl House (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Kempner, Isaac H. and Henrietta, House, Hertford, John and Eliza, House, and Bishop's Palace.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5167007177. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.