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Where We Are From

The United Methodist Church gets its roots from the Methodist movement first started in the 1730's by John Wesley.   Wesley sought to bring revival to the Church of England through evangelistic preaching and small group ministry.  His sermons and writings to the growing movement especially emphasized regular attendance in worship, with an emphasis on Holy Communion, and living lives that sought to be holy in a world in need of God's grace. 

As early as 1827, Methodist Churches were established in Harris County.  They were served by traveling Methodist preachers, also called Circuit Riders, appointed to what was then the Hamilton Charge.  A church was established just over one mile from our present location, near the present Waverly Hall cemetery.  The church was called Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, and until 1896 it was the center of religious activity for the area.

In 1896, the church was moved to its second location, a building that is now the Gordon Masonic Lodge on Highway 208, and is adjacent to our present location.  The name of the church was changed to Waverly Hall with this move.  The Rev. Sam Jones, a noted evangelist of the time, preached the dedication sermon for the new sanctuary.  

One story from this period was of Rev. Bascom Anthony, who served Waverly Hall on what was the Hamilton Circuit.  This meant he presided over worship services in multiple churches over the course of the month, traveling around them like on a circuit.  It is said that on several occasions, when other means of transportation were unavailable, he would walk to Waverly Hall from Hamilton to fulfill his duty.

In 1925, under the direction of Rev. J Ansley, the old sanctuary was moved to the new location in order to be used as Sunday School rooms at a cost of around $6000.  At this time, Waverly Hall was the largest Methodist Episcopal Church on the Hamilton Circuit, and the pastor's home was located in Waverly Hall.

In 1948, the present Sanctuary was built, on property next to the church.  The Rev. AA Waite was pastor at the time.  Bishop Arthur J. Moore presided over the dedication in 1950.  The Fellowship Hall was built in 1985, under the direction of Rev. Jerry Lott.

In 1954, the Waverly Hall church became the lead church on a Charge with the Methodist churches in Shiloh and Ellerslie.