Located along Ranch Road 12 in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Dripping Springs Methodist Church has gathered for worship since 1854, when the first Methodist congregation in the area met in a one-room log cabin belonging to Dr. Joseph M. Pound. Today the church welcomes neighbors from Dripping Springs and surrounding towns with three Sunday worship services: one traditional, one contemporary, and one in Spanish, along with a robust week of discipleship for children, youth, and adults. A weekday preschool, two buildings on the same campus, mission teams that build homes and serve the incarcerated, and a long-running care ministry for those walking through hard seasons all sit under one roof and one mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

A Heritage Running from 1854

The story of Dripping Springs Methodist Church begins in the years before the Civil War. The first Methodist gathering in the area took place in 1854 at the Pound House Pioneer Home Church, a one-room log cabin owned by Dr. Joseph M. Pound. A second log room, joined by a dog trot breezeway, allowed the children to meet separately while the adults worshipped in peace. By 1856 the congregation had moved to a log house near the old school on Mercer Street, and by 1873 Dripping Springs was listed in the Mountain City Circuit of the Methodist Church, served by circuit preachers who traveled by horse to deliver sermons.

In 1880 the local Methodist congregation secured property on what is now Ranch Road 12, about two miles south of town where Phillips Cemetery is located. When cash for lumber could not be raised, the more responsible citizens pledged their credit for the cost of the new building. By 1888 the conference recorded 177 members, with seven adult baptisms and twenty infant baptisms that year, and in 1893 land was donated for a parsonage for the first live-in preacher.

A new church was built in 1901 at the corner of Hays Street and Ranch Road 12 and was known as the Dripping Springs Methodist Episcopal Church South. For a brief stretch the Methodists and the Baptists, whose new churches stood just a block apart, alternated worship services between the two buildings each week. Methodist women's groups began meeting as early as 1915, and Vacation Bible School started in the early 1940s and continues as a summer tradition.

As the community grew, so did the church. A new sanctuary was completed in May 1963 at the corner of Hays Street and Ranch Road 12. Over the years the congregation extended the use of its facilities to newly formed churches of other denominations: Catholics began meeting at the Methodist church in 1974, Lutherans for a time in 1983, and Episcopalians in 1984. At one point Sunday services were held in one building for the Catholics at 8 a.m., Methodists at 11 a.m., and Episcopalians at 3 p.m. The Boy Scouts organized and began meeting at the church in 1977, with the Girl Scouts following in 1978.

In 1985 the present sanctuary at 28900 Ranch Road 12 was completed. The land had been donated by Mrs. Marguerite Hammack, granddaughter of Dr. J. M. Pound, and included part of the original homesite where the church had its beginnings in 1854. The first wedding at the new location was performed in 1987. On March 20, 2016 a second building, called The Foundry, was consecrated to serve youth, mission, and community. The name honors the old artillery foundry in which John Wesley preached in 1739.

Three Sunday Services Under One Roof

Every Sunday the church gathers three times for worship, all sharing the same conviction that the truth of the Gospel should be preached and lived out.

The Traditional service begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary in the main building. It includes worship, a Children's Time with the pastor, scripture readings, prayers, and a message from the pastor, with music typically provided by the chancel choir, the handbell choir, or other special musicians. Holy Communion is celebrated each week.

From 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., the Education Hour gathers children, youth, and adults for Sunday School classes meeting both in the main building and in The Foundry.

The Contemporary service begins at 11:15 a.m. in The Foundry. It features a praise band, scripture reading, prayer, and a message from the pastor, with Holy Communion observed each Sunday.

At 1:00 p.m. the Spanish service begins in the Sanctuary. The service opens with a welcome song during which the congregation is invited to follow along on shakers and tambourines and sing together. It follows a traditional line of worship with scripture readings, a Children's Time, an encouraging message, and Communion. The Spanish-speaking community draws members from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Honduras, and Guatemala. The service is livestreamed. During the Spanish service, children in first through fifth grade meet in the TeamKID Room for Sunday School.

Across all three services the pastoral team preaches biblically grounded, Christ-centered sermons organized into series that focus on a theme, a book of the Bible, or key questions of faith and life.

The Sanctuary and The Foundry

The campus sits on Ranch Road 12 just south of town. From the road, drivers follow the signs through the parking lot around the building to the north end, where the entrance to the Sanctuary is actually located at the back of the main building. This is where the Traditional service and the Spanish service meet.

The Foundry sits across the parking lot on the south side of the campus. It is the home of the Contemporary service, the Youth Ministry, and a wide range of events throughout the year. The Foundry also hosts city-wide youth worship nights, Boy Scout and American Heritage Girl meetings, the Fiesta del Barrio, Vacation Bible School, and food distribution gatherings.

Pathways Preschool

Pathways Preschool is a weekday preschool ministry of Dripping Springs Methodist Church for children ages 2 through Kindergarten, serving families in the Dripping Springs community. The school provides a warm, Christian learning environment where children are encouraged to grow as whole individuals: academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Through age-appropriate curriculum, active play, and caring relationships, Pathways nurtures curiosity, confidence, and a growing awareness of God's love, helping each child develop at their own pace in a safe and supportive setting.

Pathways operates under the direction of Denise Blazek, a longtime member of the church who first joined the school as a parent. The administrative team includes Assistant Director Lupe Driska and two administrative assistants, Denise Cooper (Monday through Wednesday) and Lee Ann Sizemore (Thursday and Friday). The school shares the church's phone system and uses the dedicated email pathways@dsmethodist.org for prospective families.

Children and Sunday School

The Children's Ministry exists to help all children understand and celebrate their unique identity in Christ. Children are always welcome to stay and worship with their family; busy boxes are available at the back of the Sanctuary to help younger worshippers stay engaged.

Sunday School meets from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. between the Traditional and Contemporary services. Toddler Sunday School is offered for ages 0 to 3 in the nursery classroom. Children in PreK and Kindergarten meet downstairs in the PreK/Kinder Room, and first through fifth graders gather in the TeamKID Room by the gym. Children's Sunday School is also offered during the Spanish service for first through fifth graders in the TeamKID Room.

The Main Nursery is open during the 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. worship services, and the Foundry Nursery (in Room F11) is open during the 11:15 a.m. service. On Wednesday evenings the nursery is open from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. for ages 0 to 5.

Grace Girls is a missions group for third through fifth grade girls who want to strengthen their faith and friendships through service and fellowship. The group gathers on the third Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the TeamKID Room for crafts, mission projects, outings, and holiday parties.

On Wednesday nights, TeamKID welcomes PreK through fifth graders from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the TeamKID Room. A family meal is served at 5:30 p.m. before programming begins. Marie Espinosa leads the Children's Ministry.

Youth Ministry

The Youth Ministry invests in middle and high school students through relationships, fun, and service. Brian and Katrina Sherman serve together as Directors of Youth Ministry.

Sunday School for all middle and high school students, known as "Sunday's Cool," meets from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in The Foundry, with games, hang-out time, and a devotional or Bible study.

Wednesday nights shape the rest of the youth week. Students gather at The Foundry at 5:00 p.m., share dinner at 5:30, move into worship and teaching at 6:15, and split into small groups by age at 7:00 before dismissal at 8:00.

A Servant Team is available for sophomore-aged students and older who want to grow in deeper discipleship, develop leadership skills, and serve the church.

Women's Ministry

Women's ministry is led by a Steering Committee with a mission to serve the needs of women of all ages and stages of life with grace and compassion. Women in Mission meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Each gathering includes light refreshments, a devotional, a brief business meeting, and a 15- to 20-minute program. As part of their ongoing outreach, Women in Mission members provide the fleece and sew blankets embroidered with each new boy's name for the Burke Center for Youth, producing an average of 15 to 20 blankets per year. Annual fundraisers include a community-wide Garage Sale, a Holiday Market, and a December Cookie Bake, all of which benefit Helping Hands Food Pantry and various local charities.

MomsConnect Fellowship gathers women of all ages and stages for encouragement, fellowship, and a Bible study on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. during the school year. Childcare is provided, and the Wednesday Night Fellowship Dinner is served beforehand from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Three ongoing women's Bible studies round out the schedule. Open Door Women's Sunday School meets every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in Room 108. The Wednesday morning Women's Bible Study meets at 9:15 a.m., often working through video-based studies and welcoming newcomers. The Wednesday afternoon Women's Bible Study meets weekly at 4:00 p.m. and uses a mix of book and video studies, with childcare available during the school year on request.

Men's Ministry

Men in Mission exists to help men grow in Christ so others may know Christ. The group serves as the home base for the men of the church, with opportunities to plug in and go out in fellowship, ministry, and service. Men in Mission meets for breakfast and fellowship on the third Saturday of each month in the Fellowship Hall.

The Men's Ministry supports three signature outreach efforts. The Wild Game Dinner, held annually since 1991, brings the men of the church together to feed and serve the community; proceeds support many ministries and charities in the area, with the church noting that nearly one million dollars has been distributed over the life of the event. The Hill Country Rally for Kids is an organization the Men in Mission support with their time to help children in Hays County who need help. Heading Home TX is a volunteer non-profit that restores dignity to people experiencing homelessness by distributing care bags of personal care items.

A Men's Tuesday Lunch Bible Study meets every Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. in Room 108 for topical and themed Bible study.

Wednesday Nights

Wednesday is the church's midweek gathering point. Family dinner is served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and programming continues from there.

Youth gather in The Foundry for dinner at 5:30, worship and teaching at 6:15, and age-split small groups at 7:00, with dismissal at 8:00. TeamKID runs from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. for PreK through fifth grade. MomsConnect meets from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. for women's Bible study during the school year. The nursery is open from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. for children 0 to 5.

Bible Studies and Life Groups

A wide range of classes are available during the Sunday Education Hour for adults. Young-ish gathers adults in their 30s and 40s in the Upper Room; Epiphany, a mixed-ages class, meets in Room F10 at The Foundry; Open Door is a women-only class in Room 108; and Seekers, a class for "seasoned" citizens, meets in the Fellowship Hall.

In addition to the Sunday morning groups, the church offers Bible studies throughout the week in both English and Spanish. The Spanish ministry, called Misión Hispana Manos y Pies de Cristo, gathers for Bible study on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in Rooms 106 or 108 at the church, on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in Kyle, on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in Dripping Springs, and on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in Oak Hill.

Other community resources and small groups meet at the church through the week. The church keeps directories of community resources groups, classes and Bible studies, missions groups, men's life groups, women's life groups, and music ministries, with many of them open for sign-up.

Music Ministry

Music is woven into every Sunday service and into the broader life of the church. The chancel choir, the handbell choir, and other special musicians serve the Traditional service. The worship team and praise band lead the Contemporary service in The Foundry. The Spanish service also uses a praise band, with tambourines and maracas as part of congregational participation. Adam Miller leads the Music Ministry and oversees the choirs, the worship team, and the handbell ministry.

Missions and Outreach

Mission and outreach are at the core of who the church is. The congregation is challenged to go outside the walls of the church to share the love of Christ.

The Barnabas College Ministry encourages college students to stay close to the Lord during their school years through letters of encouragement and ongoing connection. Camp Break Away is a Christian-based weekend camp for the boys of the Burke Center for Youth, featuring inspirational talks, worship, swimming, fishing, nine-square, campfires, skits, and meals. Disaster Response and Recovery mobilizes volunteers both in the immediate aftermath of storms and in long-term rebuilding, welcoming both skilled and unskilled workers. Grace Girls, the missions-oriented girls' group for third through fifth grade, meets monthly on Thursdays.

Home in a Week partners the church with other groups to build a home for those in need in just one week by pre-building walls, trusses, and floor joist boxes that are then transported to the home site. Kairos Prison Ministry shares the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ with incarcerated men, women, and youth, as well as their families. The church also partners with missionaries within the USA and internationally, supporting them financially and through prayer.

Hometown Missions (formerly MOST) seeks to be the hands and feet of Jesus by bringing the local community together to build and repair homes, with the vision that every Dripping Springs neighbor has a safe and healthy place to live.

Helping Hands Food Pantry, though now an independent organization, has its roots here. It began in 1986 as a food bank of the church, organized by Jerry Lou Dodson and other local women with significant support from the congregation. Today Helping Hands operates with nearly 100 volunteers and remains a central outreach partner of the church.

Community groups that meet on the church campus include Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon, which hold meetings throughout the week in the North Annex building (the mobile building next to the main sanctuary).

Care Ministry

Care Ministry supports people through difficult and overwhelming seasons of life. Stephen Ministers are members of the church who have completed 50 hours of caregiving training and provide emotional and spiritual support to those experiencing divorce, grief, hospitalization, unemployment, terminal illness, relocation, chronic illness, or loneliness.

GriefShare is offered as a friendly, caring group for those who have lost a loved one through death, with new cycles hosted at the church and workbooks available for participants.

A WeCare Resource Guide provides additional referrals and information for those seeking outside support.

What the Church Believes

The church is rooted in the Wesleyan tradition and follows the historic Methodist Articles of Religion, which outline its beliefs in detail. There is one living and true God, everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness, maker and preserver of all things, in whose unity there are three persons of one substance, power, and eternity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The Son, who is the Word of the Father and very and eternal God, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, so that two whole and perfect natures, the Godhead and the Manhood, were joined together in one person, never to be divided. Christ truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile the Father to us and to be a sacrifice not only for original guilt but also for the actual sins of men. Christ did truly rise again from the dead, took again his body, and ascended into heaven, where he sits until he returns to judge all people at the last day.

The Holy Scripture contains all things necessary to salvation, and the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments are received as such. Original sin is the corruption of the nature of every man, naturally engendered of the offspring of Adam, by which man is very far gone from original righteousness and of his own nature inclined to evil. The condition of man after the fall is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself by his own natural strength and works to faith and calling upon God; we have no power to do good works without the grace of God by Christ preventing us and working with us.

The visible church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men and women in which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments duly administered according to Christ's ordinance. The two Sacraments ordained of Christ are Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. The Baptism of young children is to be retained in the Church. The bread which we break in the Lord's Supper is a partaking of the body of Christ, and the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ; the body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper only after a heavenly and spiritual manner, and the mean whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten is faith. The offering of Christ, once made, is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world; there is none other satisfaction for sin but that alone.

Leadership

Pastor Jesús Sámano serves as Associate Pastor and Interim Senior Pastor. A graduate of All Nations Seminary in Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, and of Austin Graduate School of Theology, Pastor Jesús moved with his family from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, to Texas in 2016. He served as a volunteer pastor with Misión Hispana Manos y Pies de Cristo before being appointed as Associate Licensed Local Pastor at the church in July 2019. He and his wife Kenia have been married for over twenty-two years and have three children.

Adam Miller leads the Music Ministries as Director of Music Ministries. Marie Espinosa directs the Children's Ministry. Brian and Katrina Sherman serve together as Directors of Youth Ministry. Dominique Peel serves as Director of Financial Administration, Patty Wright as Membership Coordinator, Katherine Drye as Director of Communications, and Jeremy Peel as Director of Operations. Denise Blazek directs Pathways Preschool. Dee Dearen serves as Maintenance Technician.

The 2026 Administrative Council includes Paul Brown (Church Council Chair), Mike Embry (Lay Leader), Michael Milliken (Board of Trustee Chair), Erin Field (Finance Chair), Ken Heffley (SPRC Chair), Larry Swofford (Prayer Steward), Ginnie Street (Missions Steward), Marty and Mary Kay Null (Annual Conference Lay Members), Trish Rowe (Women in Mission Representative), Howard Bruce (Men in Mission Representative), Lori Norton (Hospitality/Worship Steward), Drew Fuquay (Youth Representative), and Patrick Roy (Church Council At-Large Member).

Sermons, Online, and Giving

Sermons are organized into series on themes such as Encountering Jesus, Kingdom of Heaven, Made for More, Our Father, Faith Foundations, Investing in the Kingdom, and In the Way, with a Spanish-language archive available alongside the English one. Recent series have worked through 1 Chronicles, Genesis, Galatians, Romans, and many other books of the Bible. Worship services, including the Spanish service, are livestreamed and made available afterward.

The church's RightNow Media library is available to members and regular attenders for streaming Bible studies and family-friendly content. A prayer request form is available online, and a weekly newsletter can be subscribed to by email.

Giving to the General Fund supports the day-to-day operations and ministries of the church, while designated giving allows members to direct their gifts to a specific ministry. Pledges to the Stewardship Campaign support broader ministry and mission goals.

The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is closed on the Monday after Easter, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the week of Christmas and New Year. The sanctuary and The Foundry are both available for facility rental requests.

From the log cabin pioneer church of 1854 to the two-building campus of today, Dripping Springs Methodist Church continues to gather a Hill Country family that worships in English and Spanish, teaches children and youth to walk with Christ, opens its doors to a weekday preschool, and sends its people out to serve their neighbors at home and around the world.