ABOUT US

The Park, where God is offering hope and a bright future through the unconditional love and saving grace of Jesus Christ and the awesome transforming power of a praying community of faith.

Real people who are loved by God!

The Park UMC is made up of all kinds of people in all different walks along their faith journey who have come together to experience the love of God. We are a community of faith that, through prayer and service, strives to reach out in love to bless and care for all people as we glorify God through inspiring worship, discipleship, local ministry and global missions. We offer a bright future filled with the hope, grace and unconditional love of Christ.

What we believe

The Vision

The vision for a Wesleyan Christian witness in the historic Hamilton Park Neighborhood began with the leadership of Rev. Dr. Ira B. Loud and St. Paul Methodist Church (the oldest Black Church founded within the original city limits of Dallas, Texas). The first worship service of Hamilton Park Methodist Church (The Park) was held on Sunday, August 4, 1957, at Hamilton Park School. The Park was officially organized in the home of Mrs. Eloise Hatchett Valley at 11928 Oberlin Drive by Mrs. Hatchett, Bessie Haynes, A. Maceo Johnson, Frank & Flonaris Mondine, Annie Ruth Robertson, Eula Robinson, Odetta Spencer Russeau, Vivian Starks, and Howard H. and Joanna M. Walker on Tuesday, August 6, 1957, with Dr. Loud as their Founding Pastor. Following the launch of Hamilton Park Methodist Church, the first Sunday School was held on Sunday, August 11, 1957, with sixty-eight children in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Davis III. 

Planting Roots

In 1958, Rev. Dr. Marshall T. Steel and the Highland Park Methodist Church led the campaign to acquire our land and deed for the site of The Park to build upon. On Sunday, January 23, 1959, The Park held its first worship service in its first completed building which presently serves as our chapel. Following the completion of the sanctuary, the Educational Building was completed on September 20, 1963, housing Christian Education and our Hamilton Park Day School, now the Hamilton Park United Methodist Church Learning Center which now houses our administrative offices. Following the merger of The Methodist Church and the United Brethren Church in 1968, Hamilton Park Methodist Church became Hamilton Park United Methodist Church. Following explosive growth in the 1980s, facilities were expanded to accommodate our growth. In 1994, our sanctuary and Christian Life Centers were opened, expanding our impact and ministries for generations under the leadership. From a precious few to thousands of members, since its founding in Hamilton Park and now the only church to remain in the neighborhood, The Park continues its dynamic spiritual, social, educational, and economic leadership in the same location that impacts the lives of thousands yearly. 

Passing The Baton

The Park has a rich legacy of service to our community and has been shepherded by some of Dallas’ most impactful leaders. With each of our eleven Senior Pastors, and countless Associate Pastors, The Park has adapted with each generation. Our Senior Pastors have been involved in social, denominational, economic, and educational movements, offering critical leadership impacting the lives of millions. The Park’s rich pastoral legacy includes: the late Rev. Dr. Ira Benjamin Loud (1957-1958), The Honorable Rev. Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. (1958-1968), Rev. Dr. Luther W. Henry, Sr. (1968-1973), the late Rev. John Wesley Elliot, Sr. (1973-1978), Rev. Dr. Henry L. Masters, Sr. (1978-1990), Rev. Dr. Ronald D. Henderson (1990-2002), Rev. Derrick Wright (2002-2005), Rev. Harold Dangerfield (2005-2009), the late Rev. Dr. R. Jeremiah Booker (2009-2017), Rev. Dr. Sheron C. Patterson (our first woman pastor, 2017-2024), and our current Senior Pastor, Rev. Bryant X. Phelps. 

 For all this, we praise God for nearly seventy years of transformative ministry and a story still being written.