The bell tower of First United Methodist Church of Alvarado has been a fixture in this Johnson County town since 1885, when the original Methodist sanctuary was first built. After that early building burned, the present Victorian structure rose in its place, and its tall spire, lancet windows, stained glass, and the original 450-pound bell are still in beautiful condition. The bell is rung for any special occasion or on any given Sunday, and the building anchors worship and community life at 301 S. Spears Street in Alvarado.
The congregation's stated purpose is to "reach, love, and grow" so that members can carry out their mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of their community and the world. A welcome banner greets visitors with the words "a community who seeks to reach, love, and grow together." The pastor is Kevin Anderson, who leads a small, dedicated staff that includes pianist Josie Reeves and Music Director Remington Hill.
A Sanctuary Rebuilt After Fire
The sanctuary is treated as a historical landmark within the town of Alvarado, and the building has been carefully preserved through more than a century of use. After the original Methodist church burned, the current Victorian structure was rebuilt, and although the sanctuary has been restored and redecorated many times since, the elegance and charm of the architecture has been retained. The lancet windows with stained glass, tall spire with bell tower, and original 450-pound bell are all in beautiful condition. Inside, the pews, the carved pulpit, and the three large high-backed chairs are from the early 1900s and remain in use today.
The sanctuary seats approximately 150 people and is available for weddings throughout the year. The adjoining Family Life Center offers an indoor event space with tables and seating for over 100, suitable for wedding rehearsal dinners, receptions, and other gatherings. Couples and event hosts can call the church office at 817-790-3101 for pricing and information, with office hours running Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sunday Worship and Open Table Communion
The church gathers for worship every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The service is described as casual, with hymns, praise music, special music, a children's message, and the sermon. "All are welcome here no matter your background, experience in church, or understanding of the Bible. We seek to grow and learn together." Holy Communion is offered on the first Sunday of each month during the worship service, and United Methodists practice an open table, so all are welcome to participate in the sacrament regardless of age, church membership, or experience.
Services are livestreamed for those unable to attend in person, with a Vimeo player serving as the main broadcast and a fallback stream available through the FUMCAlvarado Facebook channel. Archived sermons are also available online for those who want to catch up on a recent message.
Music in Three Groups
Music is a centerpiece of life at First United Methodist Church of Alvarado, and the music ministry centers on Christ-centered music, fellowship, friendship, and the sharing of the gospel of Christ through music in worship. Three ensembles serve the congregation each week:
- The Praise Band rehearses on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. and then helps lead worship alongside traditional music at the 10:30 service.
- The Handbell Choir rehearses on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. (the children's ministry also includes a children's handbell choir).
- The Sanctuary Choir meets on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., with the weekly schedule also listing a Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Practice as a regular rehearsal.
Music Director Remington Hill and pianist Josie Reeves lead these groups. Hill, a recent Southwestern Adventist University graduate in Music Education, says her desire is "to inspire and lead others to Jesus through the ministry of music." Reeves, who graduated from the same university with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Minor in Music, has played the piano for 14 years and enjoys accompanying worship services.
Children and the Family Life Center
Children's Ministry at First United Methodist Church of Alvarado aims to ensure that children from the ages of 5 through 5th grade come to church to enjoy learning about God and the path God has for them. Along with Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. in the Education Building, the children's program includes a Children's Time during worship, a Children's handbell choir, and Vacation Bible School.
The nursery is open on Sundays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for children from infant to 4 years old, with age-appropriate rooms located in the Family Life Center. Nursery care is available during Sunday school and the 10:30 worship service. Sunday school includes playing, change of scenery, and kid-friendly curriculum, with regular "brain breaks" so the kids stay "charged up for Christ." The recent theme for the Children's Department was "to be the Light of Christ," based on Matthew 5:14-16, encouraging children to show others what God does for each one of us in our daily lives.
Youth on Sunday Nights
The youth ministry meets on Sunday nights from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center for dinner, games, a lesson, and group discussion. Youth Sunday school runs from 9:30 to 10:20 a.m. in the youth room, also in the Family Life Center.
The gatherings mix fellowship with service. One recent evening started with a shared meal and a game of Human Knot, then moved into a short field trip to bless a local family by writing scripture on the studs of their new home, followed by capture the flag and hide and seek. Volunteers can contact the church office at 817-790-3101 to get involved.
Adult Discipleship on Sunday Mornings
Each Sunday morning from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., adults gather for Sunday school classes in different rooms around the church campus. Visitors can choose from several classes:
- The Cox Class meets in the Parlor in the Education Building and is for single senior adults aged 65 and older. Various topics are taught and discussed using Bible study books and books on various topics of the Bible.
- The Theophilites Class, also in the Education Building, is for empty-nest adults, married and single, and uses a discussion-based format led by rotating teachers.
- The Seekers Class, meeting in Room 6/7 in the Family Life Center, is for men and women of various ages, married and single, with children and youth, looking to connect with other parents. Study topics are Bible-centered and relevant to current class interest.
- Coffee and Bible Study is a weekly Bible study that paused for the summer; the church notes to check back in the fall for a resume date or contact fumcalv@fumcalvarado.org.
Membership, Baptism, and What the Church Teaches
Anyone interested in becoming a member can join Pastor Kevin Anderson at the front of the sanctuary at the end of worship on any Sunday, or fill out a membership form and wait for the pastor to follow up. The church teaches that baptism is "a symbol of new life and a sign of God's love and forgiveness," and that persons of any age can be baptized. The church notes that "in Baptism we are claimed by God as beloved members of God's family."
The church's teaching section walks through the basics of Christian belief. Christianity is described as a relationship with the true and living God through the person of Jesus Christ, by whom we are forgiven of our sins and escape the righteous judgment of God. Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one from God the Father, who came into the world, fulfilled the Old Testament laws and prophecies, died on the cross, and rose from the dead physically. He is divine in nature as well as human. Christianity teaches that God is a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead physically, and that all people are under the righteous judgment of God because all have sinned against God. Salvation is received by faith in the work of Christ on the last, and not by anything we can do to please God. Good works flow from grace as a response, not as a way to earn it, and the Holy Spirit lives within the believer, making them "a new creature."
Giving and the Wider Community
Giving is made easy through several channels: an offering plate on Sunday mornings, a Tithe.ly giving app, online giving through Tithe.ly, mailed checks to P.O. Box 364, Alvarado, TX 76009, or in person at the church office. The bookkeeper, Suzanne Schreiber, fields questions about giving and helps members manage their contributions. The church also works in partnership with Cook Children's to point families to free car seat checks, sharing a link to freecarseatcheck.org where appointments can be scheduled.
The church publishes a regular newsletter and maintains an active calendar of weekly activities. Opportunities to serve range from playing in the music ministry to helping with the nursery and children's programs.