In 1911 two groups of Methodists started two congregations, the Sycamore Heights Methodist Church and Sagamore Hill Methodist Church, both located in the Meadowbrook area of Fort Worth. The merger of these two churches in 1928 formed what is now Meadowbrook United Methodist Church. The first worship service for the new church occurred on November 18, 1928. Over the next two Sundays, 475 persons joined the new church as Charter Members.

 

"We are a Christian fellowship embracing our community with hope, acceptance, and unconditional love." This mission statement illustrated the decision that MUMC members made several years ago when given the opportunity to move to a new area. The decision was made to remain in the neighborhood and be a center of activity and service to our neighbors, utilizing all available resources for this purpose.

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Though members were sometimes identified by various groups within the church - Sunday School classes, United Methodist Women, Choir, Preschool Enrichment Program, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Youth Group, Staff and volunteers, MUMC also was host to community organizations such as Troop 12 Boy Scouts (the oldest existing scout troop in Longhorn Council), East Fort Worth 4-H Club, Girl Scouts, West Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association, Eastside Rotary Club, Texas Wesleyan Basketball Team, and Karate classes. There was a long tradition of the church supporting sports teams, including the famous Meadowbrook fastpitch softball team, bowling leagues, basketball teams, and Upward Sports. Family camps were a highlight of many summers. Church picnics, retreats, health fairs, Stephen Ministries, blood drives, Roadrunner trips, senior game days, and Bible studies have nurtured us.

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We interacted with the larger community with active outreach through Meadowbrook in Mission, Meadowbrook Meals for the homebound, Adopt-a-School at Meadowbrook Elementary, Eastside Ministries, the Metropolitan Board of Missions, United Community Centers, prison ministry program, Alliance for Children, New Lives School, Harris Hospital Volunteers, Church Women United, Union Gospel Mission, Presbyterian Night Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, Safe Haven, Day Resource Center, Adopt-a-Family, the Kairos program in three prisons, Emmaus weekend retreats, and United Methodist Women sponsored mission projects, both local and global. Teddy bears by the hundreds were donated to Alliance for Children, New Lives School, and emergency responders.

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Meadowbrook United Methodist sponsored youth and adult work mission trips each year and hosted other mission teams. Being a connectional church, we reached out to a vast community through district, conference, and global ministries. The Justice for our Neighbors program assists immigrants in the naturalization process. For over 37 years we hosted the two-night Optimist Spaghetti Supper, where approximately 750 Eastsiders enjoyed a meal and helped support programs for Eastside youth. Our Broadway style musical and drama productions were unique among churches, and created a joyous atmosphere through entertaining shows such as "Camelot," "Oklahoma," "Bye Bye Birdie," "Annie," "Hello Dolly," "Mame," & "Music Man."

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We are a congregation of Invitation, Inspiration, Celebration, Restoration, and Dedication.

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As quoted in the 1946 Building Fund Brochure: "Let us have a church for the whole person: Truth for the mind, good works for the hands, love for the heart; and for the soul, that aspiration after perfection, that unfaltering faith in God, which, like lightning in the clouds, shines brightest when elsewhere it is most dark." ---Theodore Parker

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The purchase of land and building of facilities has gone on through the years to meet the needs of the congregation and outreach to the community. In 1928, the 3900 block of Meadowbrook Drive running through to Mt. Vernon Street was purchased. A new frame sanctuary was built relying heavily on volunteer carpenters, using some building materials from the other two churches. Several smaller buildings were relocated to serve as Church School classrooms. The present sanctuary was built in 1948 and 1949. The congregation had worked hard collecting money to build as soon as materials were available after World War II. In 1951, a two-story educational unit was built joining the sanctuary to the east. The Fellowship Hall was built in 1958. The next building joined the Fellowship Hall to the sanctuary. It included adequate educational space, a parlor, a Youth Center, and administrative offices. This building was used for the first time on June 9, 1968. At this time, the Scout Hut was built on property across Mt. Vernon Street and seven residential properties were acquired for parking lots.

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On May 8, 1995, the church was badly damaged by a severe hail storm. An extensive renovation was needed to restore the building.

In 2004, the building was updated with the addition of the Taylor Memorial Elevator, a new ladies restroom, a lift between the Bright Corner Room and the Fellowship Hall, and renovation of the air conditioning/heating system. At the same time, the Community Life Center was built. It consists of a gymnasium, kitchen, two classrooms, and restrooms. It was built to provide facilities for basketball and volleyball, and space for dinners and other large gatherings for church or community events. It has been used for the Halloween Carnival, health fairs, the church-wide garage sale, Methodist District meetings, church picnic, county 4-H dance, neighborhood meetings, Meadowbrook Elementary student activities, PEP activities, a residence for visiting work mission teams, and even as a place for people to sign gas leases.

 

Meadowbrook United Methodist has reached out in celebration, inspiration, congregation, and dedication, we have been the neighbor, benefactor, activity center: and invited our neighbors to join us in following Christ's teachings.

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We remember the faithful, dedicated service that was rendered by our members in the past. Our foundation was laid by those who have gone before us. Meadowbrook's ministry has been and continues to be an adventure of faith. In December 2019, we merged with Polytechnic United Methodist Church to become Meadowbrook-Poly United Methodist Church.  Together, with renewed energy, we look forward to serving God and His beloved community.