Who we are

We are a United Methodist Church in the heart of Luling, TX.

  • Pastor Holly Sandeen

    Rev. Holly Sandeen

    PASTOR

    Pastor Holly was appointed to First United Methodist Church (FUMC) on July 1, 2025. She has strong roots in Texas, having been raised on a farm in South Texas, lived for a couple of years north of Houston, and graduated from high school in San Antonio. Holly has traveled around the world and lived in several beautiful locations while pursuing her higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and is currently studying for her Master of Divinity degree at Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology. Holly, her husband Garrett, and their two young children currently reside in San Antonio.

  • Tracy Caraway

    SECRETARY

  • Julie Fairchild

    CHAIR OF ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL

  • Erik James

    VOCALIST & PIANIST

Early beginnings of the Methodist Church in Luling, TX.

Before Luling came into being there were a few Methodist churches organized by migrants from other states. One of these was at Prairie Lea and another at Soda Springs. There was a small school building called “Lone Oak” in which union services were conducted, mostly by Methodist and Baptist itenerant preachers.

Our Methodist Church laid its first foundation in 1876. It was built on a foundation of cedar blocks with plank walls, a roof, and openings for windows which were boarded up at night. By 1880, the building was considered ready for dedication. Rev. Buckner Harris was our first resident minister. (by AC Bridges - pioneer citizen)

The ground on which the Methodist Church building was built was doanted by TW Pierce, founder of Luling. The growht of Luling, due to the discovery of oil in 1922, caused an increase in membership and attendance. This made the old church building too crowded, so plans started to rebuild. The church building was torn down and a basement dug. The large building was a square structure of cinder blocks and stucco. There were tall columns at the fron with wide steps that led up to the entrance on Magnolia Street. The cornerstone was placed September 11, 1927. Rev. JE Fisher was the minister at the opening.

A one story, red brick building was added in 1957 for educational classes and a nursery. Between 1969 and 1978, a yoked ministry between the First United Methodist Church and the First Christian Church was in effect. Rev. Homer Weimer was the first minister during this period and Rev. Floyd Vick was the last.

In 1977, it was decided to tear down the old church building and replace it with our third and current structure. Services were held at the Episcopal Church during the transition. The first service was held in the new building on December 31, 1978.

Words are inadequate to express the true history of any congregation. It is the living stream of God’s love and mercy flowing through time in human personalities that inspires us and binds young and old together through Jesus Christ. Amen. (by Anne Broussard - FUMC Luling member)