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MAKING HISTORY – NOT JUST KEEPING HISTORY
The story of Grace Memorial Church is short, but exciting and inspiring. The belief that there was a need for a new independent community church in the growing area between New Braunfels and Seguin actually grew out of the friendship of Rev. Don Somerville and Mr. Marvin Rush. From the very beginning the congregation has been intentionally nondenominational, in that Grace Memorial does not belong to any one denomination, and is therefore free of the politics of all the various groups. At the same time our church has always been intentionally interdenominational, in that we have incorporated the best traditions from across the breadth of Protestant Christianity. Grace Memorial has and will always be a Bible based, Christ centered, family of faith.
Grace Memorial met for the first time on April 13, 2000 in the cafeteria of Memorial Primary School with Pastor Don as our first minister. Our core values have always been a close fellowship, a strong sense of worship, a deep sense of mission and outreach, and a hunger for God’s Word.
On August 4, 2002 we moved into our first multi-purpose facility on ten acres of land at 3240 FM 725, and the church continued slow but steady growth in numbers, spirit, and mission. The first Vacation Bible School was held the summer of 2003.
Late in 2003 Pastor Don informed the Board of his decision to retire on his 70th birthday in June 2004. So the Board approached Rev. Richard A. Carse, a preacher/teacher with a lifetime of experience in growing churches in Ohio and Louisiana. Pastor Rich accepted the call to take up the challenge to continue growing Grace Memorial.
On February 22, 2004 Rev. Carse was installed as the second pastor in the history of Grace Memorial Church. Pastor Rich and Pastor Don worked together as a team throughout the transition period leading up to Pastor Don’s retirement. Rev. Somerville officially retired on June 20, 2004 (Fathers Day). To this day the two pastors serve communion together, and Pastor Don fills in for Pastor Rich when he is away. Their friendship serves as a symbol of the spirit that is building our church.
Even though we have already grown many times over under Pastor Rich’s leadership the close-knit spirit of our church is still alive and well. In fact it is thriving! On the weekend of February 17th & 18th , 2006 we dedicated phase two of our growing church facility. This included our new sanctuary, Rush Room and Christian Education Center.
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