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History of Bering...

In 1848, when Houston had a population of about 5,000, German-speaking immigrants were organized by Reverend Charles Goldberg as the German Congregation of the Methodist Church South in the Texas Annual Conference. Ten years later, this congregation bought two plots of land at what is now Milam and McKinney streets in downtown Houston, Texas, for $200. The next year they built a small church building.

In the summer of 1859 a horrid epidemic of yellow fever hit Houston. Hundreds fell ill, businesses suspended operations, and newspapers deliberately censured any mention of the fever to avoid the image of a plague center for the city. This devout German Methodist Congregation, through its Missionary Society, organized care teams to bring aid and comfort to the sick and dying.

In 1911 English replaced German in the worship service and Sunday School and the name of the church was changed to Bering Memorial in honor of two brothers, August and Conrad Bering. They were the founders of the congregation. August Bering had missed only two services in the 62 years he was a member of this congregation. He had served as leader in every office of the church, and Conrad Bering was also a strong leader in the life of this congregation. In 1922 property was purchased at Harold and Mulberry streets. In 1926 the present sanctuary was completed with the Bering name inscribed.

By 1931, the Great Depression caused economic chaos among the 300,000 citizens of Houston. Bering Memorial's membership dropped from 700 to 500, yet they raised more than $300 to help with local needs of people. Unable to pay the outstanding note on the new sanctuary, the church trustees rearranged their note to include $500 in cash, which they sent as their regular offering to The Methodist Home for Children in Waco, Texas. By June, Pastor W. R. Swaine was moved in with some of the members, and the parsonage was sold to keep the church open.

The 1940s and '50s saw Houston more than double in population, and the Bering Memorial congregation swelled to 2,000 members. One of the Pastors during this time of growth, O. Eugene Slater, was later elected to the episcopacy. Two members were sent from the congregation to missionary service in Chihuahua, Mexico and The Belgian Congo, now known as Zaire. Edna Potthoff, a nurse, founded a nursing college in Chihuahua, and Annie Laura Winfrey taught many years in Zaire.

But the scourge of poliomyelitis struck the nation. Again, facing the unknown but certain danger, this caring congregation organized itself into nursing teams and worked tirelessly with those falling victim to this crippling and killing disease.

The 1960s and '70s brought a surge of "hippies and homosexuals" into the community around Bering Memorial Church known as Montrose. Some in the congregation invited these persons to attend as they did others. Some began to come, and the Administrative Board of the church discussed and voted to welcome all persons without discrimination or prejudice. The years that followed were not painless, but a fellowship developed throughout the entire congregation that is recognized as powerful and loving and filled with the Holy Spirit. All who visit notice this and comment on what a beautiful experience it is.

The '80s brought a grand recovery of the Wesleyan Worship Liturgy and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist during each service. The sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion were given equal importance in the liturgy as the New Methodist Hymnal was later to do in 1989. The congregation, taking seriously its membership decline and economic crisis, also spent two years developing The Grand Plan for the future of this now 600 member church. It also gave night shelter to the homeless during freezing weather, which spurred many efforts to provide more care and housing for these street people.

But, the '80s also brought the new horror of the HIVand AIDS. In 1986, this deeply sacramental congregation developed a special plan to address the problems caused by this new disease and created the Bering Community Service Foundation as a way for any nonchurch related individuals, government agencies, corporations, and foundations that wished to help fund these community-based programs Bering Memorial Church was initiating. The massive plan called for spiritual support groups, a counseling center, a dental clinic, and a day care center. The Texas Annual Conference Quadrennial Progress Committee sent $15,000 for Bering Memorial Church to use for direct financial assistance to patients. That program was continued with funds from the Bering Foundation.

Support for these plans was phenomenal from the Texas Annual Conference leadership, other United Methodist Congregations, and especially the people of the city of Houston. The hard work of planning then became the harder task of implementation. Hundreds of volunteers, many celebrities, corporations and businesses, the Houston District Dental Society, the Plumbers Union, and the cultural and entertainment centers of Houston got behind Bering Church's plan. Many of those volunteers gave their last few years to create these programs for others before dying of the disease themselves. They were tenderly cared for by the Spiritual Support Group members who became their strong supportive family.

The Methodist Hospital of Houston generously took care of some of the early patients who were without income or insurance. During 1990, Bering Memorial Church celebrated in memorial services and funerals 63 lives claimed by AIDS and rejoiced in the glorious faith and courage of so many who gave their last full measure of devotion to serve others—many of whom they would never know.

Swirling into the 1990s with this host of supportive persons and institutions, Bering Memorial Church's Special Ministries quickly grew to a $750,000 annual program. The success and excitement of this hard work brought new life and spirit into the church membership. It began to grow. Aging buildings began to get needed repairs. A choir member won $93,000 in a radio station contest and designated 10% to begin renovation of the sanctuary. Paper clips were placed on worship bulletins for designating dollars for different parts of the renovation task. Volunteers worked regularly for two years, but the sanctuary finally became beautiful again. In 1991, for the first time in a decade, Bering Memorial Church was able to pay its fair share of the cost of the World Service programs in the United Methodist Church. At the Charge Conference, November 19, 1991, Bering Memorial Church again reaffirmed its inclusiveness toward all persons without discrimination, and it became the first Reconciling Congregation among United Methodists in Texas.

Shortly after its 145th anniversary, May 2, 1993, this singing congregation rebuilt its aging, originally Pilcher, pipe organ and had a rededication concert with members of the Bering family as honored guests. Though worshipping in many other churches across the area, this family helped with the cost of rebuilding this fine pipe organ, which was originally given in memory of Conrad Bering in 1926.

1997 marked the year for the launch of the most aggressive renovation campaign in Bering's history. Dedicated to serving the community and allowing full access to all campus facilities, the church membership launched a monumental fundraising campaign to update Bering's facilities in five phases.

Phase I includes renovation to the first floor of the Vordenbaum Building, first floor of the Administration Building, second floor of the Administration Building (Music Department), second floor of the Vordenbaum Building (Special Ministries & Education). Phase II includes the Fellowship Hall (Banquet Hall). Phase III includes the Sanctuary. Phase IV includes the second floor of Building A (Education). Phase V includes the Parking Lot and surrounding areas.