Milestones and Memories

1986 The Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church purchases the six-acre property of Green Oaks Boulevard where Saint Andrew's now stands. The name Saint Andrew's was chosen in honor of Andrew, one of the original twelve apostles; he was the first person to bring other people to Jesus.

1987 Rev. Dr. Vaughn Baker was appointed in June 1987 as our first pastor. Our first worship service was held on October 18, 1987. At that time the church services were held at Atherton Elementary School; other services were held in the church office, a little stone house at New York and High Bank.

1988 Worship services moved to Fitzgerald Elementary School.

1989 Worship attendance grows to 90.

1990 The Bakers moved to serve the First United Methodist Church in Eastland, Texas. Ken Diehm, his wife Kenda, and their daughter Kallye, came to Saint Andrew's. Their son, Kody, was born a few months later.

1991 We broke ground on the Green Oaks property in May.

1992 Construction began in March 1992. The first service in the new building was held on November 15, 1992. Our attendance reached 200 by that first Christmas.

1992 The stained glass window in our sanctuary was dedicated in memory of Mrs. Keryl Shirley, who tragically lost her life in an airplane crash. The window represents: God's presence with us (the dove), proclaiming what god has done (the trumpets), and our new life in Christ (the cocoon and butterfly).

1993 The beautiful garden area adjacent to the church was completed. It was dedicated to Mrs. Margaret Chapel.

1994 Over 600 people attended our Easter services.

1995 Church membership passes 500. Missions giving passes $20,000 for the first time. Kate Titsworth was hired as pianist.

1996 Church adopted Long Range Plan that set the direction for the church's future.

1997 Our Faith Our Future: 171 households committed $619,000 to building the education building, expand the worship area and add parking. Worship area was expanded. Guy Sellers was hired as first full time Director of Operations.

1998 "Professor Johnny" nearly sets church on fire during children's sermon. Wren Robinson was hired as first full time Director of Music Ministries.

1999 Membership passes 1,000. Education Building and Link are completed. Sanctuary was expanded a second time. Lorna Weiss was hired as MDO Director. Judy DuBose was hired as Nursery Coordinator. Jessica Green was hired as Building Associate.  The Education Building and 3/4 of the Link was completed.

2000 Donna Kercher was hired as Children's Ministries Coordinator, The children's playground was completed.

2003  Saint Andrews purchased an additional 9+ acres for future church expansion.  The parking lot was expanded by 100 parking spaces in August.

2004  The Link space was doubled.

2005  Dr. Richard Reed appointedr as Senior Pastor of St. Andrews UMC.

2007 Prayer Garden was added as a project remembering Evelyn Cockrell and other members.

2008  SAUMC celebrated the first twenty years of ministry with one larger worship service at Bowie High School.  Dr. Gary Lindley, the DS preached.  Vaughn and Jacque Baker were present and Ken Diehm provided a video message.

A windfall from God in the form of Gas Lease Signing Bonus enabled a capital funds project to begin which included the renovation of space in the Education Building for church offices, new flooring for the Education Building and Link, the installation of a new exterior digital signs, and the creation of soccer fields in the unused nine acres.

September 2008 – The Education Building, Link, and Kitchen received new floors, and one of the Men’s restrooms was updated.

October 2008 – The Link was remodeled with new paint and furnishings.

November 2008 – A new Exterior Digital Sign was installed.

And... the best is yet to come!