141 year-old St. Paul UMC welcomes 52nd leader Rev. Richie Butler

Nearly 350 congregants watched on as the NEW St. Paul UMC welcomed their 52nd leader, Rev. Richie Butler during the 10:45 a.m. worship service last Sunday, Sept. 28. The 141 year old congregation, located in the heart of Dallas’ Downtown Arts District, received Butler’s appointment to St. Paul as a means to ensure their existence for another century.

Rev. Butler’s appointment is unique in that he merged his vital, growing interdenominational congregation, Union Cathedral into the United Methodist Church structure.

“In a day when churches split and divide, St. Paul and Union Cathedral model a new way of being the church Christ called us to be,” said North Texas Annual Conference Bishop Michael McKee. My appointment of Pastor Butler and his acceptance is a bold act of faith, one both of us are confident will continue to make history.

A poignant look at how two very distinct congregations have unanimously merged to become one may prove to be a model for United Methodism. The Appointment worship celebration highlight was the Rev. Butler’s mentor, Rev. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. Pastor Emeritus of St. Luke “Community” UMC who preached during the morning worship celebration, telling the congregation that their “best days are ahead!”

For 10-weeks, the two congregations have worked together to integrate various aspects of leadership and ministry…the results, a growing vital congregation transforming lives and community.

“Our worship attendance has more than doubled and new members from our community are dropping in and deciding to be a part of the Greater movement happening here,” said Rev. Butler.

“We are heirs to a great legacy at St. Paul, but I believe God has Greater for not just this Church but for what it represents for Downtown, Uptown, The Arts District – quite frankly all points of Dallas,” he said.

In a letter to the St. Paul Congregation, Bishop McKee said that God is beckoning and leading two congregations into a new future. Although there may be challenges, he said, the 141-year old congregation is poised more than ever to thrive, multiply and to become a greater witness to the Dallas community.