Hamilton Park United Methodist Church, widely known as The Park, is a longtime center of worship, education and service in Dallas's Hamilton Park neighborhood. Founded in 1957, it is the only church to remain in the neighborhood and grew from a first Sunday School of 68 children into a congregation whose ministries affect thousands of people each year. The church is known for a warm welcome, a blend of modern and classical worship, ministries for children and youth, a nationally accredited learning center, and service that addresses food insecurity and other needs close to home.
Sunday at Ten: Modern and Classical Worship
Sunday worship begins at 10 a.m., and Sunday School is at 9 a.m. The service usually lasts about 90 minutes and is designed as a blend of modern and classical worship. It is livestreamed through YouTube and Facebook; watch worship on YouTube. On the first Sunday of each month, children and adults worship together in the main sanctuary and share communion with their families.
First-time visitors can come as often as they wish without obligation or pressure, and greeters aim to make each arrival warm and genuine. There is no dress code. Some people wear Sunday best, while others are casual; the church also dresses down in summer. At certain celebratory services, guests may be asked to wear designated colors or themed attire. A plan for a first visit gathers the practical details.
The Park Kids: Six Weeks Through Fifth Grade
The Park Kids welcomes children from six weeks old through fifth grade. Each week, children take part in gospel-centered singing, lessons, crafts and other activities designed to help them develop a lasting relationship with God.
- Check-in: Begins at 10 a.m. at the Children's Ministry Welcome Table on the second floor. Each child receives identification tags with a family-specific code, and a matching security tag is required for pickup after the service.
- Joyland: The nursery for babies ages six weeks through three years uses age-appropriate play, Bible stories, music and caring interactions.
- Children's Church: Children ages four through fifth grade have games, Bible lessons and arts and crafts in classrooms divided by grade level.
- Nursing mothers: A designated breastfeeding area is down the main hall to the right after entering the building.
On fourth Sundays, youth sing and serve during the main worship service. Peace for Children Choir meets from 11:30 a.m. to noon on the second, third and fifth Sundays.
Children with colds, colored runny noses, fevers, rashes or other symptoms of illness are not permitted into classrooms. Toys and equipment are disinfected before and after use. Parents can provide feeding, potty-training and medication instructions, and only a parent and female staff or volunteers may change diapers.
Confirmation and Ignite Youth
Children in grades 6 through 12 participate in confirmation with parent approval and worship through Ignite Youth. Confirmation is an intentional spiritual formation program that teaches the history, practices and beliefs of the Christian faith from a United Methodist perspective. Classes begin with sixth graders and continue for older youth. Parents, church members and staff help young people prepare to decide for themselves whether they are ready for a personal commitment to God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. For children with disabilities, the children's ministry seeks to adapt its program to each child's needs.
Learning Center Care From 6:30 A.M. to 6 P.M.
The Hamilton Park UMC Learning Center was founded to serve children in the local community. It is a nationally accredited Christian organization offering a safe, loving environment where children learn and grow through age-appropriate activities, teacher-guided interactions and quality curriculum. It serves children ages two through five with full-time care and also provides before and after school programs.
- Learning: Bible stories and songs are paired with Frog Street, D.I.G. and Investigator curricula for early learning.
- Safety: The building remains locked, video monitoring is used, and teachers receive CPR and child-safety training. The center holds National Accreditation for Children and Care and Quality Assurance status and is Texas Rising Star certified.
- Nutrition: Children receive a morning snack, lunch and an afternoon snack each day.
Affordable care is available, and CCMS is accepted. The center is located at I-75 and Forest Lane, with hours from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Transportation is offered to Stults Road, Skyview and Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet. Joyce Daniels serves as director.
Ministry Teams for Worship, Service and Community
People are invited to participate in ministries according to their spiritual gifts. The named ministry groups are United Women in Faith, Youth, Children, Music and Arts, Young Adult, and Men's Ministry. The church also forms service teams for particular parts of its work.
- Worship and Arts shares vocal and performing-art talents in worship.
- Production supports technology, audio and visual work, and communications.
- Sunday Guest Experience greets members and visitors as they arrive.
- Children helps provide a safe and nurturing children's ministry.
- Higher Education supports students taking the next step beyond high school.
Community outreach is organized around service projects, partnerships and community-focused initiatives. Path 2 Nourishment meets every second Saturday to address food insecurity, while the Health and Wellness team plans and hosts wellness events. Virtual Church extends worship, messages and community connection to people joining from anywhere. The church's broader mission also includes local ministry and global missions.
A Wesleyan Witness of Grace and Discipleship
The mission of Hamilton Park UMC is to offer the unconditional love and saving grace of Jesus Christ to all. The Park describes itself as a community of faith that, through prayer and service, seeks to bless and care for people while glorifying God through worship, discipleship, local ministry and global missions.
- Growing in love for God and loving one another.
- Making disciples and baptizing all people in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- Equipping people for works of service in the body of Christ.
- Teaching biblical doctrine and fostering fellowship, prayer, care for one another, worship and community outreach through evangelism.
These purposes shape worship, confirmation, children's ministry, leadership development and the church's work beyond its sanctuary. The church continues to present its faith and service as inseparable parts of its life in the Hamilton Park neighborhood.
From Hamilton Park School to a Dallas Landmark
The vision for a Wesleyan Christian witness in Hamilton Park began with the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Ira B. Loud and St. Paul Methodist Church, the oldest Black church founded within Dallas's original city limits. Hamilton Park Methodist Church held its first worship service at Hamilton Park School on August 4, 1957. Two days later, it was officially organized in the home of Mrs. Eloise Hatchett Valley by Mrs. Hatchett, Bessie Haynes, A. Maceo Johnson, Frank and Flonaris Mondine, Annie Ruth Robertson, Eula Robinson, Odetta Spencer Russeau, Vivian Starks, and Howard H. and Joanna M. Walker. Dr. Loud was the founding pastor. The first Sunday School took place on August 11, 1957, with 68 children gathered in Henry L. Davis III's home.
In 1958, Highland Park Methodist Church led the campaign to acquire the land for Hamilton Park's present location. The first worship service in the first completed building was held on January 23, 1959, and that building still serves as the chapel. The Educational Building was completed on September 20, 1963, housing Christian Education and Hamilton Park Day School, now Hamilton Park UMC Learning Center, as well as church offices. Following the 1968 merger of The Methodist Church and the United Brethren Church, the congregation became Hamilton Park United Methodist Church. Rapid growth during the 1980s prompted further expansion, and the sanctuary and Christian Life Centers opened in 1994.
Eleven Senior Pastors and a Continuing Legacy
Eleven senior pastors have shepherded Hamilton Park United Methodist Church. The succession includes the Rev. Dr. Ira Benjamin Loud (1957 to 1958), the Rev. Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. (1958 to 1968), the Rev. Dr. Luther W. Henry Sr. (1968 to 1973), the Rev. John Wesley Elliot Sr. (1973 to 1978), the Rev. Dr. Henry L. Masters Sr. (1978 to 1990), the Rev. Dr. Ronald D. Henderson (1990 to 2002), the Rev. Derrick Wright (2002 to 2005), the Rev. Harold Dangerfield (2005 to 2009), the Rev. Dr. R. Jeremiah Booker (2009 to 2017), the Rev. Dr. Sheron C. Patterson (2017 to 2024), and Bryant X. Phelps, who has served since 2024. Patterson was the church's first woman pastor.
Phelps is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church in full connection with the Horizon Texas Annual Conference. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Morehouse College and a Master of Divinity from Southern Methodist University. The Rev. LaTasha Roberts serves as executive pastor, Kathy Griffith directs children and youth ministries, and Joyce Daniels leads the Learning Center. The wider leadership team consists of people committed to following Jesus, helping others follow him and serving the church's mission.
A Campus Shared With the Community
The original chapel, sanctuary, Christian Life Centers and Educational Building support worship, learning and ministry, but the church also opens its facilities to the surrounding community. Space can be used for meetings, celebrations and community gatherings. Donations help cover real estate and utility costs so non-church groups can use the facilities at little or no cost. The church also maintains its facilities so community members can hold weddings, with the aim of celebrating all marriages in a church regardless of background.
Giving supports children's and youth mentoring, meaningful weekly worship, church employment, facility maintenance and community use. The Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and donations are 100 percent tax deductible. Gifts can be made online, sent through Zelle at info@theparkumc.org, or mailed to Hamilton Park UMC, 11881 Schroeder Road, Dallas, TX 75243. Hamilton Park UMC emphasizes faithful stewardship, ethical business practices and accountability in handling contributions.
From the 68 children in its first Sunday School to its Learning Center, confirmation classes, worship teams and neighborhood outreach, Hamilton Park UMC continues its work in the same Dallas neighborhood where it began.