Historic Memorial UMC Takes Bold Step to Unify with New UM Congregation

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." – Isaiah 43:18-19

*Memorial UMC during their 150-YEAR celebration service. photo COURTESY of memorial umc.*

AUSTIN, TX – God's new things often spring up in ways that are difficult to perceive. Like a wild shoot breaking through the earth, fresh life is rarely planned, never fully controlled, and often arrives where we least expect it. Yet we are invited to see, trust, and participate in the movement of the Spirit in our lives, churches, and connections. Through prayer, holy conferencing, and risk-taking steps of faith, Memorial United Methodist Church in Austin has embraced this invitation, perceiving and participating in God's new thing.

*First Swedish Episcopal Methodist Church i800s. Photo courtesy of Memorial UMC.*

Honoring a 150-Year Legacy of Faith

In 1873, the Rev. Carl Charnquist and a small group of Swedish immigrants founded the First Swedish Methodist Church in Austin. Now known as Memorial UMC, the congregation celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023 with a commemorative exhibit featuring artifacts like a 200-year-old Swedish-language Bible, historic photographs, handwritten records, and archival documents that reveal a rich and storied chronological history.

*Memorial umc in the 1930s near the state capital. photo courtesy of memorial umc.*

Once located near the Texas State Capitol, Memorial has long been known for faithful worship, community service, and a spirit of radical welcome. Over the decades, Memorial's faithful service and witness have touched countless lives. The congregation remains dedicated to serving the local community, bringing people from the margins into the heart of a family, and worshiping God with commitment and courage.

*A prayer group meets in the chapel at Memorial UMC. Photo Courtesy of Memorial UMC.*

Discernment in a Season of Challenge

Amid their ongoing service and ministry, Memorial has also experienced decades of membership decline. As the neighborhood around them changed, many longtime members moved away, and the church found it increasingly difficult to engage new neighbors. Still, year after year, the congregation continued to care for one another, serve those around them, and tend to their property as faithfully as possible. However, with a smaller membership, aging facilities, and growing insurance burdens, continuing their storied ministry required exploring new possibilities.

*Rev. Dr. Robyn Bishop Introduces 5 new members to Memorial UMC. Photo COURTESY of Memorial UMC.*

When the Rev. Dr. Robyn Bishop was appointed in 2023, she brought a heart for heritage and transformation. In 2024, Memorial entered a season of intentional discernment, asking: "Where is God leading us?"

That February, the congregation read The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. Inspired by the book's message of bold prayer, members physically circled the sanctuary and placed handwritten prayers on its walls, asking God to tear down the invisible barriers between the church and its neighborhood.

*Memorial UMC Members in prayer and discernment for next steps. photo courtesy of memorial umc.*

Additionally, eighty-nine-year-old, Afton Cherry walked barefoot “outside” the entire 35,000 square foot building one time for six days, then seven times on the seventh day as she and six others prayed for children, families, baptism, inclusion, deeper community involvement, and new life.

An Unexpected Answer

*CHILDREN HELPING LEAD WORSHIP AT RESTORE AUSTIN. PHOTO COURTESY OF RESTORE AUSTIN.*

Meanwhile, Restore Austin—an independent, inclusive congregation with roots in a local middle school auditorium—was preparing to join the United Methodist Church. As Restore explored the next steps, district and conference leaders saw potential for collaboration and began conversations with Memorial.

*RESTORE AUSTIN WORSHIP SERVICE AT LIVELY MIDDLE SCHOOL (AUSTIN, TX). PHOTO COURTESY OF RESTORE AUSTIN.*

What began as a discussion about shared space soon became something deeper. Through facilitated gatherings, worship, and collaborative ministry, members of both churches began to sense the Spirit's leading.

*Long time Memorial UMC Church Member, Billie Nixon. Photo COURTESY of Memorial UMC.*

Billie Nixon, a 95-year-old member of Memorial since 1963, was deeply moved after the first joint gathering. "This meeting looked like it did in the '60s!" she said, recalling when the church was full of life and activity.

Susan Froebel, who has attended Memorial for 25 years, reflected, "In our leadership meetings and at our United Women in Faith gathering, we discovered that many of our goals and outreach missions aligned. Both churches are looking forward to what God will call us to do together."

*A celebration of 150 years of Memorial UmC. PHOTO COURTESY OF Memorial UMC.*

A New Church with Shared Values

On June 1, 2025, Memorial's Church Council voted 10 to 5 to present the Letter of Intent to merge with Restore. One week later, on Pentecost Sunday, the congregation took a bold step of faith, voting 41-9 in favor of giving birth to a new church. Memorial overwhelmingly voted to approve the merger, affirming their hope and commitment to this shared future.

*RESTORE AUSTIN ATTENDEES ENJOYING FELLOWSHIP BEFORE WORSHIP. PHOTO COURTESY OF RESTORE AUSTIN.*

The new name—Restore Austin with Memorial United Methodist Church—celebrates the vitality of new life and the legacy of deep roots.

North District Superintendent Rev. Tracey Beadle offered this reflection:

"Memorial has been so faithful in their discernment process as they've come to know and relate to Restore. I'm deeply grateful for their openness as the Holy Spirit has revealed their aligned hopes and values. It's exciting to witness them coming together to share in a vital witness of United Methodism."

*A JOYFUL Christmas lunch at memorial uMC. Photo COURTESY of Memorial UMC.*

Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future

Like a marriage, this union is built on shared values: dedication, hospitality, community engagement, and inclusivity. This merger is not a loss—it's a legacy extended. Memorial brings traditional worship, deep community roots, and resilience shaped by 150 years of faithfulness. Restore brings energy, growing families, and a passion for inclusive outreach. Together, they are uniting their strengths to form one vibrant, intergenerational church, sharing core values of hospitality, service, prayer, and welcome.

A Memorial UMC lay speaker giving the children’s message. Photo courtesy of Memorial UMC.

The new congregation will continue to offer a traditional worship service and plans to form a Memorial Heritage Committee to preserve and celebrate its history. And with expanded leadership and shared resources, Restore Austin with Memorial UMC looks forward to more intergenerational ministry, deeper community involvement, and revitalized facilities.

Tom Bissett, a member of Memorial for 45 years, expressed his excitement:

"We're so excited! Together, we anticipate many years building on the long-established partnerships and mission opportunities that we have cherished. The joining together with Restore's multiple outreach experiences and youthful enthusiasm will be a perfect combination to move us all forward as one in doing our Lord's work in all of Austin and even beyond our region."

Restore & memorial celebration brunch Aug 2025. Photo courtesy of memorial umc.

Pastor Robyn echoed this hope: "I believe this merger is a gift from God, an answer to our prayers. We have been in survival mode, and now with Restore, we can have intergenerational ministries, do more to reach out in our diverse community, and have funds for insurance, full-time pastors, full-time staff, as well as addressing the many repairs and renovations. It's very exciting to watch how God has multiplied our requests exponentially, like the story of the boy with two fish and five loaves of bread."

*Scripture written on the floor of memorial umc. Photo COURTESY of memorial umc.*

A Way in the Wilderness

This new chapter is not the end of Memorial's story. It's a resurrection moment—a living testimony to what's possible when churches dare to pray boldly, listen deeply, and trust the Spirit's movement.

Memorial United Methodist church in the 1950s. photo provided courtesy of memorial umc.

God is still making a way in the wilderness. In the vibrant landscape of Austin, where many churches are already bearing faithful witness, this newly united church is a fresh stream in the wider work of renewal.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"— Isaiah 43:19

Celebration Service

Restore Austin with Memorial United Methodist Church will hold its first worship service as a united congregation on Sunday, September 7, 11:30 a.m. at Lively Middle School, 201 E. Mary St., Austin, TX 78704.

Come and witness the new thing God is doing. This historic worship service is open to all—join us as we celebrate faith, hope, and new life in community.

We’d also love to share your words of welcome during the celebration! Churches and individuals are invited to record a short video greeting—either from the heart or using messages like:

· “Welcome to the family, Restore Austin!”

· “Thank you, Memorial UMC, for your historic witness and continued ministry!”

· “Happy Birthday, Restore Austin with Memorial UMC!”

Please email your video or message to amandabanda@riotexas.org by September 1, 2025.

Authors:

Rev. Ray Altman, Rio Texas Conference Director of Congregational Vitality & New Faith Communities

Rev. Amanda Banda, Rio Texas Conference Director of Communications