Van United Methodist Church
VAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
IN 1885, A GROUP OF AREA CHRISTIANS ESTABLISHED A CONGREGATION IN THE COMMUNITY OF SWINDALL (LATER VAN) BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY IN TRAVELING TO CHURCHES IN SURROUNDING SETTLEMENTS. ORIGINALLY NAMED ANTIOCH CHURCH, MEMBERS FIRST MET UNDER A BRUSH ARBOR, USING THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DURING POOR WEATHER. IN 1891, GEORGE AND LIZZIE SWINDALL, THE COMMUNITY NAMESAKES, DEEDED PROPERTY ACROSS FROM THE SCHOOL TO THE CHURCH, AND MEMBERS SOON BUILT A SANCTUARY. THE REV. S. N. ALLEN WAS THE FIRST CIRCUIT RIDING PREACHER TO PASTOR THE CHURCH, WHICH HOSTED COMMUNITY EVENTS IN ADDITION TO WORSHIP SERVICES. THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE WAS REPLACED IN 1910.
IN 1929, OIL WAS DISCOVERED IN VAN, WHICH LED TO A POPULATION BOOM. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP ALSO INCREASED AND IN 1931, AN OIL WELL WAS DRILLED ON CHURCH PROPERTY. THE REV. JOHN W. MILLS, JR. BECAME THE CONGREGATION’S FIRST FULL-TIME PASTOR THAT SAME YEAR. IN 1936, CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED ON A THREE-STORY BRICK STRUCTURE. ADDITIONAL ADJOINING PROPERTY WAS PURCHASED IN 1955 AND 1972, AND IN 1987, A FOURTH CHURCH BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED ON THE ORIGINAL SITE.
VAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HAS A RICH HISTORY OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH. MEMBERS HAVE OFFERED MEALS TO THE NEEDY, TAUGHT ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES, OFFERED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO CHILDREN, VISITED NURSING HOMES AND THE HOMEBOUND, AND HOSTED VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS’ MEETINGS. TODAY, MORE THAN 125 YEARS AFTER ITS ESTABLISHMENT, THE CHURCH CONTINUES TO MEET THE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL NEEDS OF THE VAN COMMUNITY.
175 YEARS OF TEXAS INDEPENDENCE * 1836-2011.