Medina Valley United Methodist Church first originated in the fall of 1986. This was made possible by the then Southwest Texas Conference (today Rio Texas Conference) of the United Methodist Church. The Conference Council on Revitalization and Extension purchased the property at 1108 Country Lane, Castroville, Texas.

The church began in the fall of 1986 under the leadership of Dr. William “Strick” Strickland. The first three years the church worshipped at the Moye Chapel in the Moye Formation Center here in Castroville. Zion Lutheran Church graciously shared their Sunday school and nursery with our newly formed church. The church was named in January of 1987 and was constituted as Medina Valley United Methodist Church by Bishop Ernest T. Dixon on February 8, 1987, with 59 charter members. During 1987, membership rose to 78 and by the end of 1988 membership was 92.

In July of 1987 a house at 202 Lower LaCoste Road was donated by Mr. Sterling Evans. This building became the church offices and in April of 1988 with eleven children, the church started its own Sunday school at this location.

On May 6, 1989, the community was invited to the groundbreaking ceremony held at 1108 Country Lane. With construction beginning on the church building, Medina Valley United Methodist Church came under new leadership with Rev. William Duke.

On September 17, 1989, the church held its first worship service in the present building at 1108 Country Lane. By the end of 1989, the church had 114 members on the roll. On January 7, 1990, the church held a consecration service with Bishop Ernest T. Dixon presiding, and we officially became a house of worship. In February 1990, the church voted to expand the present building by four Sunday school classrooms.

In 2001, under the leadership of Rev. Jane Florence, approval and funding for a new sanctuary took place. On January 11, 2001 preliminary plans were approved by the congregation. The culmination of the financial campaign was a Big Tent Event which took place on April 29, 2001. The groundbreaking of our present sanctuary building took place on September 30, 2001. The sanctuary building was consecrated on May 19, 2002.

Medina Valley United Methodist Church continues today as a friendly, welcoming and loving congregation. We are a traditional family church with worshiping age groups ranging from new born to our most senior adults. We embrace the growth of the SW corridor and are ready for new members of all ages. We have a very active youth program and children’s church. You’ll Be Comfortable Here is our motto and our vision is Good Neighbors Loving God’s Creation. Many people have given their prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness over the years to make the dream and the call of Christ to become a reality. Therefore, we at MVUMC will live out our ministry in the grace of God and following Christ’s Great Commission:

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20 NRSV