Our Story

The first Methodist gathering in our area was at the Pound House Pioneer Home Church in 1854. Originally a one room log cabin belonging to Dr. Joseph M. Pound, another log room was added to the cabin with a dog trot (breezeway) in between. This allowed for services to be held in peace in one room while the children were in the other.

In 1856, the congregation moved to a log house near the old school which is now the Masonic building on Mercer Street. By 1873, Dripping Springs was listed in the Mountain City Circuit of the Methodist Church, served by circuit preachers who traveled by horse to deliver sermons to local congregations.

In 1880, the local Methodist congregation secured property on what is now Ranch Road 12, about 2 miles south of Dripping Springs where Phillips Cemetery is located. Money was scarce, but the Lord provided men and materials for the construction of a new building. When cash for the lumber could not be raised, the more responsible citizens pledged their credit for the amount necessary.

By 1888, the conference recorded 177 members, with 7 adult baptisms that year, as well as 20 infants. A deed shows land was given in 1893 for a new project – a new parsonage for the first live-in preacher; although, he still rode to preach to other local congregations.

A new church building, located at the corner of Hays Street and Ranch Road 12, was built in 1901 and known as the Dripping Springs Methodist Episcopal Church South. The former church near present day’s Phillips Cemetery was sold and moved off the property.

The Methodist and Baptist churches built new churches about the same time in 1901 just a block apart. Each had their own weekly Sunday school but only two worship services per month. So, they alternated worship at the two churches. After Sunday school, everyone gathered wherever the service was conducted.

Methodist women’s groups began meeting as early as 1915 and continue to this day. These groups featured Bible study, prayer and care for the needy in the community.

Vacation Bible School began in the early 1940’s and is a summer tradition in our community.

A new sanctuary was completed in May of 1963. It was located at the corner of Hays Street and Ranch Road 12, where Walgreens currently is.

In 1970, the Thrift Shop was organized by the United Methodist Women as a means of raising money to help the needy in the community. People brought in used clothing and small household goods. This soon turned into a community project and other women helped as storekeepers. Around 1978 the Thrift Shop was turned over to the Senior Citizen’s and continues to the present day, on HWY 290.

Over the years, the congregation has extended the use of its facilities to newly organized churches of other denominations. In 1974, the Catholics started meeting at the Methodist church. The Lutherans met for a time in 1983 and the Episcopalians began meeting in 1984. At one time, Sunday services were held in one building for the Catholics at 8 am, Methodists at 11 am, and Episcopalians at 3 pm.

The Boy Scouts organized and began meeting at the church in 1977. The Girl Scouts were not far behind and began their meetings at the church in 1978. Several troops held meetings at the church over the years, and many service projects, including Eagle scout projects, were completed by these troops at the church. It’s valid to note that Boy Scouts troops still meet at the church’s building to this day.

The Methodist Men began meeting at the church for prayer and breakfast in October of 1983.

As the church continued to grow, the need to expand was evident. The church began a search for a new site. One of the church’s members, Mrs. Marguerite Hammack, agreed to donate five acres of land for a new church. Mrs. Hammack is the granddaughter of Dr. J. M. Pound and the donated land was part of the original Dr. J. M. Pound homesite, where the church had its beginnings in 1854.

The new sanctuary at 28900 RR 12 was completed in 1985 and the former church was sold to Harrell Funeral Home, and the first wedding at DSMC’s current location was performed in 1987.

Helping Hands started as a local food pantry in 1986, as a Food Bank of DSMC by Jerry Lou Dodson and other local women with significant support of our church over the years. Helping Hands is the result of local needs brought to the attention of the community. In the early 2000s, Helping Hands became independent and has grown to an organization of almost 100 volunteers that has become an integral part of the Dripping Springs community, reflecting the giving spirit of thousands of people who live and work here.

Preschool started in 1986.

In 1991, the Methodist men held their first DSMC Wild Game Dinner. This dinner combines the love of God, family, and friends, and cooking to bring people together to make the Dripping Springs area a better place. Our community has embraced this idea and through countless generous donations, we have distributed nearly $1 Million to some incredible groups in our community over the years.

A Spanish service began in October of 2012 and continues to hold services on Sundays, along with Bible studies and fellowship groups.

In 2001, mold in the Dripping Springs Primary School building forced the sudden closure of the entire campus. The 2001-2002 Kindergarten class was relocated to the DSMC campus until remediation was completed. Other churches in the area also provided space for classes.

Many ministries began at DSUMC during this time. The annual pumpkin patch has been a favorite for many years and continues to this day. Kairos, ERT (Early Response Team), and MOST (now DS Hometown Missions) are a few of the ministries that are still active in our community.

On March 20, 2016 a new building was consecrated to serve youth, mission, and community. This building on the south side of the campus is called The Foundry, remembering the Foundry church built by John Wesley in an old artillery foundry in 1739.

The Foundry serves not only as a place of contemporary worship on Sunday mornings, but also as a place for community gatherings for food distribution, city wide youth worship, boy scouts, American Heritage girls, , celebrating the Fiesta del Barrio, gathering for Youth or VBS, and studying the Word of God.

Today you might find the church holding worship services in traditional or contemporary formats, offering worship opportunities in English and Spanish. Many ministries, groups, and activities take place each week at our church campus, representing varied interests and opportunities to serve and care for one another.

The faith that brought the church this far will carry us into the future, as we walk, work, pray, plan, and achieve together. Join us in continuing the path set out by the saints before us, as we build on our legacy of faith and community.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us….” (Hebrews 12:1)