KPUMC - About Our Church

ABOUT OUR CHURCH

Welcome to Kessler Park United Methodist Church on the World Wide Web. The heart of the church is reaching out to share God's love in the name of Christ. It is our hope that our presence on the internet will provide encouragement for you, as well as resources for spiritual growth and information about ways to connect with the Kessler Park UMC family of faith.

Kessler Park UMC is a caring and inclusive congregation, celebrating God's love for all people. We invite you to participate with us in the life of this community of faith according to your own talents and interests. We also welcome your comments and feedback about this site and about our varied missions and ministries. Please contact us if we can provide further information, answer questions, or extend a warmer welcome in any way.

E-mail: kpumc@kpumc.org

Telephone: 214-942-0098
Fax: 214-946-5325

Mailing address:

Kessler Park United Methodist Church
1215 Turner Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75208-2631

For a Map and Directions click here

CHURCH HISTORY

The Kessler Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized by 38 charter members on August 14, 1925, after an open-air revival. Following denominational mergers, it officially became known as Kessler Park Methodist Church in 1939 and subsequently as Kessler Park United Methodist Church in 1968.

For 25 years the congregation occupied a frame sanctuary and temporary educational buildings at Windomere and Stewart Drive. The first service at our current location was celebrated on Palm Sunday, 1951. The church’s popular Day School was inaugurated in 1961, and a large education wing was added in 1963.

Other high points in the history of Kessler Park UMC include the first performance of a fine Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ on Christmas Eve, 1966, and a “note-burning” of the church mortgage in 1975.

In 1999, Kessler Park UMC helped to initiate The Kessler School, which subsequently merged with the church’s Day School and continues now as a separate private school that includes over 70 students from pre-K through fourth grade meeting in the church building.

In 2004, the church added an outdoor Prayer Garden and 40-foot diameter pavestone Labyrinth. The congregation also maintains Roberts Forest as a largely undeveloped oasis for people, pets and numerous neighborhood events.

In 2005, the church undertook its largest project since construction of the original sanctuary – a $1.3 million dollar replacement of the air-conditioning (HVAC) system, along with a number of related renovations and improvements to the building and grounds. As a result, the facility shines with the promise of a bright future in the new millennium.

The people of Kessler Park United Methodist Church remain committed to embracing the beautiful diversity and unique qualities of our neighborhood while also serving and welcoming the larger surrounding community and beyond, thereby striving to fulfill the mission statement adopted following the church’s 75th anniversary in 2000:

We are a community of hope, founded in faith,
fostering spiritual growth and meeting human needs
by reflecting God’s love in Christ’s name.

KPUMC STAFF

All the members of our Kessler Park UMC ministry team are committed to sharing God's love by equipping the members of our faith family for a diverse range of missions, ministries and programs. Whether the calling is to lead worship on Sunday morning or to scrub the floors on Monday evening, our common calling is to promote love of God and neighbor in all things.

Our Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Timothy McLemore, was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1986. A graduate of Iliff School of Theology in Denver (D.Min.2007), SMU's Perkins School of Theology (M.Div, 1988) in Dallas, and Mt. Vernon Bible College in Ohio (BA in Bible, summa cum laude), Tim has previously served as organizing pastor of Vista Ridge UMC in Lewisville, Associate Pastor at Dallas First UMC, pastor of Tom Bean UMC, student pastor at Bells UMC, and intern at Grace UMC in East Dallas.
Email: revtim@kpumc.org

Patricia Crenshaw ably serves as Director of Music and Senior Adult Ministries. A life-long member of Kessler Park UMC, Pat also has served at Dallas First UMC and Casa View Christian Church. In addition to her duties at Kessler Park UMC, Pat appears throughout the United States each year as a much sought-after entertainer and comedienne.
Email: pcrenshaw@kpumc.org

Allison Courville joined us in August 2008 as Director of Ministries with Youth and Their Families. Allison graduated from Centenary College in Shreveport with a Bachelors degree in Music Education, and has served as choir director and music teacher at Raul Quintanilla Middle School in Oak Cliff and fine arts teacher at Tom C. Gooch Elementary. A lifelong United Methodist, Allison previously led the youth choir and 9th-10th grade youth group at Richardson First UMC, and has also worked with youth at Bossier City UMC and Oak Park UMC in Lake Charles and Grace Community UMC in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Email: acourville@kpumc.org.

Rev. Katie Webb joined us as Director of Ministries with Children and Their Families in December 2007. Pastor Katie earned the Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School at Duke University in Durham, NC, and the Master of Human Resources and Development degree and Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, from Clemson University in South Carolina. Prior to joining us, Katie most recently served as a chaplain at Baylor Hospital. She is a licensed local pastor and certified candidate for ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church.
Email: kwebb@kpumc.or

Ken Surley joined the Kessler Park UMC ministry team as Office Manager in January 2004. He previously served as Office Manager for Plymouth Park United Methodist Church in Irving. He also continues to serve Plymouth Park UMC as organist, a position he has held for over a dozen years. Ken’s education includes the Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education (1983) and Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance (1984) degrees, both from Baylor University in Waco.
E-mail: ksurley@kpumc.org

Barbara Evetts, CPA, brings both professional competence and personal faith to her ministry as Financial Administrator. Barbara, who was employed for 10 years by a major corporation before joining the Kessler Park UMC staff in October 2001, also continues to be an active volunteer at various ministries in her home church, Cliff Temple Baptist, and with school programs.
Email: bevetts@kpumc.org

Beth LaBella is serving with us as Intern Pastor from August 2008 – May 2009. A native Dallasite, Beth comes to us as a third year student in the four year Master of Divinity degree program at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology. Beth earned her BA in Sociology from the University of Texas at Dallas. Prior to joining us, she spent 20 years in corporate America in the title industry, culminating in the position of Vice President with Reunion Title in Preston Center. Beth is a certified candidate for ordination seeking to be commissioned in June 2009.
Email: bethlabella@kpumc.org

Jim Spruill, Church Sexton, has been a member of the Kessler Park UMC ministry team since joining us full-time as custodian in December 2005. His varied skills, experience, and enthusiasm greatly enrich the care and use of our beautiful building and grounds. E-mail: kpumc@kpumc.org

Robyn Griffith joined the Kessler Park UMC staff in 2004 after moving to the Dallas area from East Texas. Robyn earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from University of Texas at Tyler, and is a Certified Professional Wedding Consultant. She enjoys being a stay at home mom to her two sons. E-mail: robyn@primroseevents.com.

Daniel Harp joined our ministry team as Organist on Nov. 4, 2001. Originally from Independence, Missouri, he holds a degree in organ performance and has served a number of churches as organist as well as director of music. He was a faculty member at West Texas State A&M University in Canyone where he was staff accompanist in the choral, vocal and opera departments.
Email: humblevillageorganist@hotmail.com

After seven years of effective and loving service as a teacher, Lisa Sprayberry was promoted to the position of Director of Kessler Park UMC’s fine Parents’ Day Out program in 2004, where she continues to uphold the high standards and fine traditions of this ministry.
Email: pdo@kpumc.org

HOW TO JOIN US

Kessler Park UMC welcomes all persons who wish to join us on the journey of faith and who seek to grow in God's love as revealed in the life and love of Jesus Christ. Visitors are welcome to participate fully in every area of the church's life prior to joining. You may become a member of Kessler Park UMC:

By profession of faith and baptism. For persons expressing their first public commitment of faith. The United Methodist tradition recognizes prior Christian baptism, regardless of mode (immersion, pouring, sprinkling) or denominational affiliation. We do not re-baptize.
By reaffirmation of faith. For persons who previously have been baptized and wish to renew their faith commitment, or for persons who wish to express a deepened spiritual experience or a fresh understanding of their faith.
By transfer from another United Methodist Church or another denomination. For persons who previously have been members of other Christian churches. No letter of transfer is required prior to joining. As a courtesy, we will notify your previous church home of your membership at Kessler Park UMC and request their acknowledgment.

You are invited to express your commitment to join Kessler Park UMC in one of the following ways:

Come forward to meet with the Senior Pastor at the front of the sanctuary during the "Invitation to Christian Discipleship and Church Membership" at the conclusion of any worship service. Although we welcome and encourage you to confer in advance with the Senior Pastor about your decision to join, prior arrangements are not required.
Attend the pastor's orientation class, which is offered twice per year. Attendance at this 4-week class is not mandatory, though many new members find the class helpful and enjoyable.
Contact the Senior Pastor for a personal meeting.