A Brief History
Gaddis Memorial
United Methodist Church
141 Hwy 87 North
Comfort, TX 78013
As civilization moved into West Texas following Texas independence from Mexico, Methodism moved along with it. It is a story of Indians six-shooters, preaching, circuit riders and other heroic souls who would risk their lives to bring the word of God to the settlers.
It is a story of such great leaders as Thrall, DeVilbiss, Potter, Boring, Gillett, Harris, Horton, Fisher and many others. It is not meant to imply that there were no Methodists in this community before 1900; but they were undoubtedly few and there was no established church. Since the beginning of the 20th century, we have some few hazy recollections and some records which bring us up to the present time.
The town of Comfort was established in 1854. During the period before 1900, and a few years after, a number of English speaking families and individuals came to Comfort and remained here. Names familiar to all of you: Gaddis, Frazer, Goforth, West, Dr Jones, V. J. McAteer and many more. These people were not all Methodists, but most of them were members of some church. As there was only one church building in the community, The Community Church, now known as the old Lutheran Church building, services by various denominations were held there. Preachers were invited to come from San Antonio, Boerne, Center Point or Kerrville.
A Methodist Sunday School was started at the home of Mrs. J. M. Goforth soon after the family came to Comfort in 1902. In a few years, the class had grown to such an extent that larger quarters were needed. By 1907, the Episcopal Church had been built. Then, the Episcopalians invited the Methodists to meet with them in a joint or Union Sunday School. Later, the Methodists moved into the Community Church building to have Sunday school and preaching services. They remained there until a new church building was erected in 1924, with Sunday school rooms built onto the sides of the sanctuary. From 1903 to 1910, we were part of the Boerne Charge. During that time, we had services only once a month, then only when the weather was good. During this time, such old stalwarts as Theo Lee, J. D. Scott, A. E. Rector and J. H. Groceclose, Presiding Elders, filled the pulpit. Once Bishop Mouzone honored us with a sermon. As I recall he used the popular and familiar text, “…on this rock I will build my church”. (Mrs. Grace Martin)
Previous to the organization of a church in Comfort, the pastors served us from Boerne, the first one being J. F. Perrin. Over the next few years, J. F. Lawless, John Holt, J. W. Gibbons, R. E. Duke and Charles Doak served.
When the church was organized in 1910, B. A. Myers was the first pastor, serving until 1914. He returned in 1943 to serve again and died after six months service. R. W. Fisher and Harold Bennett, who served one year each, followed him. Then came Bro. Adair, who stayed with us until 1923 and did much to further the cause and growth of Methodism in Comfort. In 1923, S. J. McLean came. He served until 1927. It was during his term that through the foresight and generosity of Mrs. Pauline J. Gaddis that our new church on 5th street was built. The church was erected in 1924 and dedicated to the memory of her husband, Eugene F. Gaddis, in 1925.
Mrs. Gaddis gave her time and money and inspired members of the church and community to contribute fieldstone from the countryside in order to construct the church and parsonage. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gass hauled rock from their fields in wagons. Harvey Lindner reports that much of the stone used came from a rock wall on Joe Spenrath’s place. (Joe Spenrath was Harvey’s grandfather.) Harvey asked his grandfather what became of the old rock fence on the ranch and was told the church agreed to replace it with a wire fence in exchange for the stone. As a boy, Judge Harold Krauter helped his father, August Krauter, lay the rockwork on the south side of the church, which faced the Education Building (“with not a crack in it”, he says). The entrance lamps to the church were in memory of his parents. The Gass window was in memory of the parents of Pete Beaty and Vi Frizzell.
Mrs. J. M. Goforth was the first Sunday school teacher. She also played the piano for services. When an organ was presented to the church on June 2, 1957 by Mr. and Mrs. Adolf Stieler, Miss Evelyn Goforth, now Mrs. Chaffin Wade, became the organist. Together, they played for services until Mrs. Goforth’s health failed. Mrs. Goforth’s son, J. Morris Goforth, was a Trustee and President of the Administrative Board for several years. The Goforth window was in their memory.
On January 22, 1954, our pastor, Kirby H. Edwards, called a meeting of all members and friends of the church at the Veterans Hall to discuss plans for an educational building. After a hearty dinner served by the women of the church, Pastor Edwards introduced the District Superintendent Rev. L. U. Spellman. He emphasized the need and purpose of the building and outlined plans and methods of securing financing. He convinced us that it was not only possible, but also well within our ability to carry out the project. At a second meeting, the needs of the building were presented. Mr. W. H. Whitworth moved that a Building Committee and a Finance Committee be appointed with instructions to present specific plans to a Church Conference. Motion carried. Frank Chamberlain, Board Chairman, appointed the following Building Committee: Nelson A. Miner, Mrs. J. C. Rice, W. H. Whitworth, Morris Goforth, Adolf Stieler, Dr. C. C. Jones, Mrs. John Gaddis and Mrs. J. B. Carrington. Mr. Miner and his committee retained Phillip Carrington and John R. Walker architects to design the building. Mr. Carrington was the grandson of Mrs. Pauline J. Gaddis and was naturally more than ordinarily interested to see that the new building would blend with and compliment the beautiful main church. When the drawings were received, a meeting was called. Discussion included whether to use local labor donated by members or call for competitive bids. It was decided to call for bids. After a year of patient and methodical procedures, the low bidder was the Temple Lumber Co. of Fredericksburg. The contract was signed in Mr. Walker’s office in San Antonio on April 4, 1955, by Frank Chamberlain for the Trustees and John R. Simmons for the Board of Stewards. At the Annual Conference of 1954, we were granted gifts of $500 from the West Texas Conference Board of Missions and $500 from the General Board of Missions. These, with the $6,000 received in cash and pledges, assured us of sufficient funds to start.
On April 16, 1955, the ground-breaking ceremony was held with Rev. Spellman conducting the service. Participating in the service were Mrs. J. M. Goforth, our first Methodist Sunday School teacher; Mrs. J. Morris Goforth, the church school superintendent (now Mrs. Harry Kaiser of Kerrville) who was the MYF president; Frank Chamberlain, official board chairman; Morris Holekamp representing a Methodist family; Mrs. Walter Kutzer, WSCS president; Adolf Stieler, church trustee; and Mrs. J. C. Rice and Mrs. J. B. Carrington of the Building Committee. In July 1955, the new educational building was completed. To honor the completion and opening of this building, a barbeque supper was held. Mrs. Morris Goforth (Lydia), program chairman, worked very hard personally calling on all members to make this a success. Miner Adams of Boerne donated his services to be in charge of cooking the meat which was all donated. Six hundred seventy-two people were served. The weather had been dry and hot, but that day it rained and rained and showed everyone how much this building was needed. Over $1,100 was made on this first barbeque. Each subsequent year, the church held a barbeque in July to help pay off the indebtedness for this building. When the debt was paid off, a rummage sale was held to earn extra money.
A note-burning ceremony was held May 14th, 1965. In addition to the pastor, Rev. Lawrence Greenhaw, seven former pastors attended. They were: Rev. David Klingler, Blanco; Dist Supt. L. U. Spellman (Ret); Kerrville Dist. Supt. Rev. Ellis Thomas; Rev. Kirby Edwards, Dallas; Rev. David Stewart, Hondo; Rev. Frank York (Ret); and Rev. Roy H. Wold, San Antonio.
In 1968, Fred Koerlin died and in 1970, Mrs. Koerlin died. They will money to the church to be used in the remodeling of the educational building kitchen. A modern kitchen was installed.
After a hot dry summer, on August 1, 1978, it began to rain. Fourteen inches fell on the Guadalupe watershed around Kerrville. Also, the same amount fell on the Cypress Creek watershed. By nightfall, this deluge had reached Comfort where the two waters meet. There was no way for this flood to get out of Comfort. The water began to rise in the ‘flats’ and before dawn August 2, 1978, the waters had reached across High Street. Almost immediately the water began to recede, leaving a slimy mud silt that dried like concrete. Our Methodist Church was spared, having been built high. The water came to the front door, seeped in, and ran onto the carpet. It also seeped in at the back door by the choir room. The doors held. The parsonage was under 6-7 feet of water. It came in the back door moving everything to the front door which broke under the force. However, a vase of flowers on the coffee table remained upright. The roll books were on the dining table where Rev. Hubley had been working with them. They floated and the books remained dry! The educational building was a total wreck. The piano floated on its back. The refrigerator floated on its front side. The cabinets fell off the walls under the pressure of the water. The glass doors were broken out. The Pastor’s study had water almost up to the ceiling. All records there were ruined. By 9:00am all water had receded. Marie and Al Bruns, unable to get to work, came to the church and started trying to save and protect the property. They were the first ones on the scene. Members and friends from everywhere came to help. The Mennonites came from Kansas with mops, buckets, and cleaning materials. Some were boarded at Mt. Wesley; others here in Comfort.
Al Bruns met with Bishop Lovern and the Disaster Relief Committee of the Conference to inform them of the extent of damage. Jedell Hunt negotiated with the Small Business Admn for a disaster loan of $25,000 to help restore the parsonage and Education Building. Many United Methodist Churches of the Sate and the Southwest Texas Conference contributed funds to the Conference Disaster Relief Committee which awarded Gaddis $25,000. Along with other gifts, the church was able to repair and refurbish the Education Building and to repair and purchase new furniture for the parsonage. As a result of the generosity of other United Methodist Churches, the Board voted to repay the SBA loan. That enabled the church to come out of this experience debt free.
After a few years of no Sunday School, classes resumed in 1982 led by Lorietta Kutzer, Rosita Hollar, Marsha Flach, Harriet Kirchoff, Normagene Bruns and Karen Busbee. Jack Busbee led the adult class. Each year, bibles were given to the graduating seniors of the Comfort High School who were affiliated with this church. Often either the Salutatorian or Valedictorian has been one of our graduates. Others of high achievement have also been recipients of our bibles. The church sponsors the Comfort Senior Citizens group and Scout groups. We participate in Vacation Bible School, the Comfort Table feeding ministry and other Comfort Ministerial Alliance activities in the community.
Perhaps this history is incomplete, but it is as true as records and memory allow. Our appreciation to Marie Bruns for her work and dedication as church historian and Membership Secretary while compiling the history.
Significant recent events in the history of our Church:
1985 River Bend Revitalization Retreat
1985 Comfort Christmas Elves initiated
1986 Sanctuary renovation
1987 First ordained full-time pastor on board (Barbara Ruth)
1988 Purchased parsonage
1988 Re-established barbeque for fund raising to pay off parsonage
1989 Organized COM into four work areas
1990 Initiated Disciple Bible Study
1991 Fanning the Flame meeting conceived After School Kids Club
1991 Developed lay leadership; established long-range planning committee
1992 Increase in Music Ministry
1992 Disciple II Bible Study – first class
1992 Renovation of nursery completed
1992 Pastor Mark Elliott diagnosed with cancer; laity assumed leadership
1993 Two Sunday worship services initiated
1994 Significant increase in Sunday School
1995 Men’s ecumenical prayer breakfast initiated
B. A. Myers 1910-1914
R. W. Fisher 1915
Harold Bennett 1916
R. S. Adair 1917-1923
S. J. McLean 1923-1927
Valentine L. Sherman 1928-1933
Kirby H. Edwards 1953-1955
David Stewart 1955-1958
Lowell O. Ryan 1958-1959
David Klingler 1959-1962
Roy H. Wold 1962-1964
Lawrence Greehaw 1964-1966
Gordon Miller 1966-1968
Virgil G. Hanks 1968-1972
David R. Klingler 1973 (6 mos)
Walter L. Parr, Jr 1973-1974
Cole V. Smith 1974-1976
Leroy Hubley 1976-1979
James E. Ferguson, Jr 1979 (3 mos)
Ralph M. Reed 1979-1983
Bruce E. Barrett 1983-1984
Darrell D. Gray 1984-1985
C. A. “Red” Seiler 1985-1987
Barbara J. Ruth 1987-1992
Mark V. Elliott 1992-1996
Cheryl K. Owens 1996-2002
Lynne Lockett 2002-2008
Jason Teague 2008-present