Travis Park United Methodist Church, San Antonio

Travis Park United Methodist Church stands as a historic and progressive beacon in the heart of San Antonio. Established in 1846 by Rev. John Wesley DeVilbiss, a missionary to the Republic of Texas, it is the city’s oldest Protestant congregation and the only Reconciling United Methodist Congregation in San Antonio. The church’s roots trace back to DeVilbiss’s groundbreaking efforts, including delivering the first Protestant sermon in San Antonio in 1844 and organizing a congregation two years later in the local courthouse.

The church moved to its current downtown location near Travis Park—San Antonio’s second-oldest park—20 years after its founding. Designed in the Romanesque Revival style, the church is adorned with intricate stained-glass windows, a double-aisled sanctuary, and majestic spires that have become architectural highlights of the city. Over the decades, additions and renovations, including significant work following a fire in 1955, have preserved and modernized this historic edifice.

Travis Park Church has played a pivotal role in the city’s cultural and spiritual life. In 1852, the congregation built Paine Chapel on Soledad Street, which later hosted the San Antonio Female College—an institution that eventually merged with others to form Trinity University in 1942. The church has also been home to many influential pastors, five of whom were elected bishops.

Grounded in its history, Travis Park United Methodist Church continues to embrace its mission of faith, service, and inclusivity. As a Reconciling Congregation, it prioritizes connection, hope, and truth, offering a welcoming space for all. The church’s archives, enriched by Josephine Forman’s historical work We Finish to Begin, reflect a legacy of resilience and community impact that continues to inspire its modern ministry.