On Sunday, March 21st, Prosper United Methodist Church met in an open field at the northwest corner of Preston and Coleman in Prosper, Texas. The gathering was a groundbreaking for the church’s new campus. Pastor Jason McConnell opened the ceremony by encouraging all to imagine that moment not as just the culmination of recent planning activities but rather as a marked moment in the long history of this church from which exponential growth of love, care and ministry will begin for our community and beyond.
Many people congregated to bless the land and pray for the hearts of those who would be impacted by this church for many generations to come. Bishop Michael McKee of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church ended the ceremony with strong words of encouragement to see the church not as the building that would be built, but as the people who go into the community and world to make disciples for Jesus Christ. In addition to walking and praying around the campus, attendees were encouraged to personalize a rock and place it in the ground as a permanent part of the holy foundation.
“What an exciting time for our church!”, exclaimed Elizabeth Turner, church member.
The church has a rich history in the Prosper community. Originally built in Rockhill in 1900, the chapel was relocated to the corner of First and Third Streets in Prosper in 1902 to better serve the growing community. After a fire in 1924, a new building was constructed by a handful of congregants in hopes of servicing the community for the next 100 years. The structure still stands today. Building Committee Chair and long-time member, Chuck Stuber, reminded all about this rich history of service, sacrifice and love for all God’s children. The new campus is being built with a strong focus on this history and carries forth the hope and commitment of those original forward-thinking members. The church’s vision is to put God’s grace into action and shine as a beacon of love, help, healing, hope and joy for the community.
“You could just feel so much love and kinship; you just knew that you were standing on Holy Ground.”, exclaimed Christina Hardy, church member.
Prosper UMC will continue to meet at 205 S. Church Street until the new campus construction is completed in 2022. Sunday worship is at 11am at 205 South Church Street. In-Person and Livestream are available (prosperumc.org/livestream).
