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By Rev. Stephen A. Curry Everyone is invited to a re-open ing and rededication of the historic La Vernia United Methodist Church (UMC) 1887 Chapel on Saturday, March 23. Repairs to the historic chapel are close to complete. The work has been ongoing since Hurricane Harvey ripped through Texas in August 2017, tearing part of the chapel roof off and causing damage to the building’s in terior The 1887 Chapel has been a land mark in La Vernia since its construc tion. The re-opening after 19 months of repair is cause for great celebration by both the Methodist church, and the community as a whole. La Vernia UMC is planning a celebration ser vice; the community is invited to join in. A celebration reception will follow in the Family Life Building and the chapel will be open to the public. Former pastors, leaders from the Methodist district, Bishop Robert Schnase, and community leaders have been invited to participate in the rededication. High winds from Hurricane Harvey on Aug. 26, 2017, tore off about a quarter of the roof. Constructed with out decking, the lattice structure un derneath the metal sheeting offered no protection from the heavy rains, exposing the interior and damaging the ceiling, carpeting, and pews. A small group of church parishioners managed to remove small items — such as Bibles and hymnals — dur ing the storm, and cover some of the furniture with tarps. Since Harvey hit, the church has been repairing the damage. While insurance covered making the build ing usable, the historic nature of the building added extra expense. Donations from generous benefac tors helped finance the special care needed to keep the building as true as possible to its original construction. Humble start La Vernia Methodist Church, South, was originally constructed on Chihuahua Street across RM. 775 from City Hall, where McGarrell Orthodonics now stands. The original chapel, built in 1876, was destroyed 10 years later by a tornado spawned by the Indianola Hurricane. The 1887 chapel was constructed the following year at the same location. At the time, La Vernia was on a Methodist Circuit; the assigned pas tor was only in town the first and third See Rededication, p. 14
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La Vernia News
La Vernia, Texas, US
Thu, Mar 14, 2019
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USA 05 Feb 2026
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