At First Methodist Conroe, our core foundation is the reality that we are followers of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection allow all people to enter a new and full life with God. We believe Jesus makes life better and that the abundant life into which He leads us is not best experienced individually but instead, together. We call this Life. Better. Together!
About Us
Dr. John Wayne McMann
Lead Pastor
John Wayne has served as Lead Pastor at FMC since 2022. Before serving here he was lead pastor of Vine Worship at Kingwood UMC for six years and lead pastor of Core Worship at Marvin UMC for two years. John Wayne is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary (MDiv, 2016) and United Theological Seminary (DMin, 2022). John Wayne is married to Lauren and they have three kids; Luke, Rylie, and James. In his free time, he loves to read, run, golf, and play with the kids. John Wayne's story includes growing up in the church but not really following Christ until Jesus, through the local church, brought awakening in his life. Now his passion is to help people to wake up to life in Christ.
Then and Now
The first Methodist Conroe was organized in 1870. There was no designated meeting place other than in homes. Later, meetings were held in a one-room school located at the corner of Sherman and 3rd Street. There were 12 or 15 members and Sunday School classes were held two Sundays each month by both Baptists and Methodists. On December 19, 1880, thirty-three men pledged $418.50 for the first church building. Isaac Conroe donated land for the first church building at the corner of Davis and First. Isaac Conroe recorded that year, "Methodists are in majority here." In 1887, as our town grew, the first pastor W.S. South rode horseback from Bryan, Texas to preach once a month. The building located at the corner of Main and Phillips, known as the “second sanctuary” was completed in 1917 for $11,208.14. Despite a temporary attendance setback due to an epidemic of Spanish influenza, membership in First Methodist Conroe grew to 400, with 250 enrolled in Sunday School. In July 1941, the cornerstone of the third sanctuary rested on the same site, accommodating the building to be completed that December. The old church facility served as an educational building for several years until damaged by a storm. During this period Sunday School classes met in various nearby locations. The history of First Methodist Conroe is not complete. With the dedication of the current facility in November 2000, there appeared a new, enlarged era of service in which the doors are opened wide to all who come. From 2017-2020, the congregation undertook ambitious task of reaching the community in a greater way, updating the current facility, expanding children and youth programming, and investing in weekly worship.
The church thrived after returning to in-person worship in late 2020 and has seen great momentum in its children's, worship and small group ministries. At the Church Conference, held September 18, 2022, the professing membership approved a resolution to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church and affiliate with The Global Methodist Church by a 76.4% majority. On December 3, The Texas Annual Conference will met in a Special Called Session to approve this disaffiliation. January 1, 2023, First Methodist Conroe became a member congregation of The Global Methodist Church.
Now FMC will continue to make disciples and invite all to experience Life.Better.Together. in Jesus Christ in this new chapter in The Global Methodist Church.
We’re excited you’re exploring first Methodist Conroe. When you worship with us you can expect to encounter God, hear gospal centered, biblical preaching and find a loving church community that desires to live L.I.F.E. together as Jesus’ disciples.