holy rosary

History

History

While Ashford United Methodist Church was not chartered until 1970, its beginnings can be traced back much further...

On November 27, 1961, W.E. "Fred" Loggins and his wife Hazel donated 6 acres of land to Westminster United Methodist Church, with the intention that a church would be built there. The tract laid along Dairy Ashford, then a narrow, two lane road.

Seven months later, Westminster UMC turned the land over to the Houston Methodist Board of Missions. In December, 1969, the Loggins' donated another acre of land to the Board of Missions.

The Church family began taking shape in June of 1969 when the Board of Missions made a down payment on the original parsonage, and appointed Reverend Don Willis to organize a church. The parsonage was deeded to Ashford United Methodist Church in October of 1969.

Shortly after Reverend Willis was appointed, an article about a new church appeared in the newspaper. That article generated several calls from people interested in helping form the Church. One couple that responded was Stella and Earl Montgomery. They telephoned Reverend Willis, then met with him at the parsonage. A few days later, the first organizational meeting was held in the Montgomery’s home.

Construction of the buildings, as well as a parking lot and drilling of a water well were paid for by the Houston Board of Missions. The church was expected to repay the Board for this work, and had the option of either buying the metal buildings, or returning them to the Board for use by another church.

The young church was officially granted its charter in February of 1970.

Other significant events in our growth since 1970:

  • 1975 – Church Council approves startup of Mother's Day Out program (ACEC)

  • 1976 – Sanctuary Building constructed (referred to as the Centrum as the time)

  • 1979 – The first Peppermint Fair is held (as a UMW fundraiser for Sanctuary seating); Ashford (with other area churches) is a founding member of what is now WHAM

  • 1982 – Education Building (first floor) constructed

  • 1989 – Second floor of Education Building finished

  • 2007 – Sanctuary steeple added

  • 2010 – Labyrinth (Prayer Walk) built (a Girl Scout Gold Award project by Tillan Muthama)

  • 2014 – Campus-wide technology upgrades over a two-year period

  • 2015 – Ashford celebrates 45th Anniversary; Beginning of Vibrant Church Initiative (VCI) process; a Methodist-based church growth resource

  • 2016 – 175K Capital Campaign for Welcome Center, kitchen upgrade, and major maintenance

Pastors

Rev. Irv White (2018 – Present)

Rev. Hazeline Jackson (2013 – 2018)

Rev. Chris Norton (2010 – 2013)

Rev. David Meeker-Williams (2006 – 2009)

Rev. Ernest Turney (2000 – 2006)

Dr. Richard L. White (1996 – 2000)

Dr. Bruce M. Wood (1992 – 1996)

Dr. Chappell C. Temple (1989 – 1992)

Rev. James William Foster (1983 – 1989)

Dr. James L. Killen (1969 – 1983)

Associate Pastors

Rev. Cindy Serio (2009 – 2012)

Rev. Gary Leinhart (2002 – 2006)

Rev. Patricia Wehn-Glowski (1997 – 2002)

Rev. Harold R. Jones (1993 – 1997)

Rev. James A. House (1983 – 1988)

Rev. Sara Owen Gemoets (1979 – 1983)