From a Sunday School on Avenue D to Sherwood Way
The Heights traces its roots to 1907, when Mrs. Will Tandy began gathering neighborhood children for afternoon prayer meetings in her home on the south side of San Angelo. Within a few months the gatherings had outgrown her parlor and were relocated to an old store building on Avenue D. By the spring of 1908 the steady growth led to the formal organization of a church. Over the following decades, the congregation met in a succession of buildings to accommodate its expansion, and in 1945 it purchased property at the corner of Washington Drive and Austin under the name Park Heights Baptist Church.
The next major chapter opened in the 1990s, when the church purchased land on Sherwood Way for future expansion. Members donated countless hours of labor and skill, and construction began in 1998. The new building was occupied in December 2000, and with the move the congregation adopted a simpler name: The Heights Baptist Church, now known simply as The Heights Church. Throughout its history, members have committed themselves to prayer and service, and the congregation continues to seek new ways to reach the people of San Angelo.
Sunday Morning Worship
Worship at The Heights follows a familiar rhythm with room for everyone. Sunday Bible Study Groups meet at 9:30 a.m. for all ages, and the Worship Service begins at 10:50 a.m. Music is a blend of contemporary and traditional, led by Worship Leader Diego Manosalva and a team that uses piano, guitar, drums, and other instruments. After the music, Senior Pastor Dr. James A. Miller brings the sermon through expository preaching, working verse by verse through a book of the Bible to show how each passage fits the larger story. Sermons generally run about thirty minutes, followed by a brief time of prayer and reflection. The full service typically lasts an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes.
Guests will find reserved parking to the right of the main entrance, a Guest Services Center staffed with friendly volunteers, and a dress code that has no dress code. Men arrive in anything from ties to polos to T-shirts, and West Texas boots and jeans are common. Women's attire ranges from dresses to pants, and children come in whatever is comfortable for the morning.
Pastor James is a former computer programmer and systems analyst who later answered a call to ministry. He and his wife Linda were married for almost 62 years before her passing, and he is blessed with two sons and two grandsons. He earned his master's and doctoral degrees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has devoted himself to sharing spiritual truth that can be applied to daily life.
What The Heights Believes
The congregation holds to a cluster of beliefs common to Southern Baptist churches. Salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible is the authority for faith and practice. Every believer can approach God directly, is competent to interpret Scripture, and is free to follow the Holy Spirit. Baptism is reserved for believers and is by immersion. Each church is autonomous and self-governing. Cooperative mission work is built on mutual trust and shared decision making. Christians are called to keep the functions of church and state separate while staying actively involved in civic life and leadership.
The Heights states its mission plainly: "We are on mission to see people from every generation in San Angelo come to Christ, mature in faith, grow in love, and live out the Great Commission."
Children at The Heights: KidZone
KidZone serves children from birth through fifth grade and is available during every regularly scheduled adult worship or Bible study time. The ministry uses a secure check-in process and operates in a kid-friendly facility staffed by trained workers. Nursery care for ages zero through three is provided during both Sunday and Wednesday services.
On Sunday mornings, three Bible study classes meet at 9:30 a.m. for PreK-Kindergarten, first and second grade, and third through fifth grade. Children study the same Gospel Project curriculum that the adults and students are using, so families can discuss the same passages around the table during the week. At 10:50 a.m., children ages four through third grade move to Children's Church, an age-appropriate worship service with singing, scripture memory, games, and crafts.
On Wednesday evenings, Kid's Club runs from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. for PreK through fifth grade, using games, memory challenges, and Bible lessons to build on the same biblical foundation.
Students: W.O.R.D. Student Ministry
The student ministry goes by the name W.O.R.D., short for Working On Refining Disciples. It is built around two weekly touch points: a Sunday Bible study at 9:30 a.m. that follows the Gospel Project alongside the rest of the church, and a Wednesday evening gathering designed for the specific needs of students in sixth through twelfth grade. Wednesday evenings combine games, fellowship, and teaching aimed at helping students develop a biblical worldview, learn to defend their faith, and become disciples who make other disciples.
Student activities take place in the Student Center, located directly behind the Worship Center and across the sidewalk from the prayer garden. Education Minister Alexis Blair oversees children's and student ministries along with the rest of the educational programming for adults. A Parent Portal offers parents articles on topics ranging from smartphone use to spiritual gifts.
Adult Bible Study Groups
The Heights organizes its adult formation around a L.I.F.T. framework: Love God's Word deeper, Initiate gospel conversations, Find community, and Take their next steps.
On Sunday mornings at 9:30, six Bible study groups meet in parallel. Women's Enrichment gathers women of all ages around Scripture and topics that shape daily living. Men of Courage invites men to sharpen one another with the Word and hold each other accountable. Young Adults, for ages 18 to 39, builds community while working through the Bible book by book. The Journey, for adults 40 to 61, is for those serious about their walk with God and looking to make Him the core of home, work, and life. Heritage Adults, for ages 62 and older, includes both a co-ed group and a women's group that studies biblical topics while passing on a heritage of God's grace. A Spanish-language group offers Spanish speakers a way to become part of the church community.
On Wednesday evenings at 6:00, two additional groups gather. Pastor James Miller leads a verse-by-verse study open to all ages, and The Bridge offers a Wednesday option for adults 18 to 49 who want to connect God's Word with real life.
Community Groups Around the City
For members who want a smaller setting, Community Groups meet in homes during the last week of each month. Each gathering lasts about two hours and includes a shared meal, a short teaching video, and discussion. Current groups include one in the Lake Nasworthy area that meets the last Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., one in Buffalo Heights that meets the last Thursday at 6:00 p.m., and one near the intersection of Bryant and Knickerbocker that meets the last Friday at 6:00 p.m. All three are open to all ages.
Mother's Day Out
The Heights operates a Mother's Day Out program for children ages four months through five years, running Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. year-round. The schedule follows the San Angelo ISD calendar of holidays and emergency closures. Each class rotates through recess, teaching time, Bible and music, sensory and art, lunch, and nap, using the Play and Worship curriculum alongside daily Bible stories. Registration costs $125, and tuition is $160 per child per month, with a 10 percent discount for each additional child.
Teachers and assistants must demonstrate Christian values as role models, undergo a criminal background check, and are trained in first aid. Director Renee Taylor leads the program with years of preschool and childcare experience.
Outreach: Food Pantry and Blanket Ministry
Two regular outreach ministries extend the church's reach into the wider San Angelo community. The Food Pantry provides basic meal staples to those who qualify based on need, and is open on the second Wednesday of each month from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Volunteers from both the church and the community are always welcome to donate.
The Blanket Ministry gathers on the second Tuesday of each month from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Center to make knotted fleece blankets by hand for hospital patients and family shelters. No sewing experience is required, and the meetings include great fellowship.
Members who want to serve can also join the Visitation Team, which meets at 3:00 p.m. on Sundays to share the Gospel in the community and follow up with guests. Minister of Outreach and Evangelism Buddy Helms helps coordinate these efforts along with other lay leaders.
Getting Connected
For newcomers, the church outlines five next steps on a simple progression: Come and attend a Sunday service, Connect by learning about baptism and relationships at the church, Cultivate friendships in a Bible study group, Commit to membership through Discover The Heights classes held each quarter, and Community by finding a place to serve.
Opportunities to serve span the entire life of the church. Members can lead Bible study groups, serve in the Blanket Ministry, teach in Children's Ministry, pack food boxes for the pantry, staff the First Touch desk, prepare coffee on the Hospitality Team, greet at the doors, pray during the service on the Prayer Team, read Scripture aloud, serve on the Security Team, run slides and sound on the Tech Ministry, pass the offering plate as an usher, share the Gospel with the Visitation Team, counsel during the invitation, sing or play on the Worship Team, or mentor students in Youth Ministry. Some roles require church membership and a background check.
Diego Manosalva and his wife Andrea also lead a Spanish church in their home and are passionate about reaching Hispanics in San Angelo, extending The Heights' ministry beyond its walls and across language lines.
Giving is available online, in person through wooden collection boxes in the worship center or a collection plate during the service, or by mail to the church office. The Sunday morning service is livestreamed at 10:50 a.m. on Facebook and YouTube, and recordings remain available for later viewing through both channels.