The historic South Bluff Methodist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas closed in 2006 due to declining membership. The building fell into disrepair until the Iglesia ni Cristo acquired it in 2013 and spent two years renovating it. On March 28, 2015 over 1,000 people attended the chapel's rededication, restoring hope and religious community to the neighborhood. The Iglesia ni Cristo's restoration of the building and establishment of a congregation provides spiritual and community benefits.

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ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN
“ONE PHILIPPINES” NEWSMAGAZINE, (TEXAS EDITION)
Volume7, No.22, April 16-30, 2015
Left: The South BluffMethodistChurch after itsdoors closed in2006. Right: The newlydedicated
house of worship ofthe Iglesiani Cristo March 28, 2015. (Photo courtesyof skyscrapercity.com)
A Restoration of Hope: Historic Downtown Corpus
Christi Chapel gets a Makeover
By Jane Kathleen Gregorio
jkleena@gmail.com
The sound of hammers on nails echoes in the breeze as Corpus Christi native,
Virginia Greer looks with nostalgia at the 3-story red brick chapel building, which had
been a part of her life since childhood.
“It was like attending your parents funeral when this church closed its doors,”
said Greer, who for 25 years had been a member of the former South Bluff Methodist
Church.
“I just think about all the people I knew in this church, I got baptized in this
church, I got married in this church.. The neighborhood was left with a void.”

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The chapel, a historical landmark located on 1002 Elizabeth Street, was
previously occupied by the South Bluff Methodist Church.
The building first opened in 1922, and after an 84 year legacy, was forced to
close its doors in 2006 due to declining membership and a lack of financial resources.
The surrounding community was deeply saddened by this loss.
“Lots of prominent churches in downtown…simply lost population,” said Robert
Parks, a longtime Corpus Christi resident and blogger for the Facebook Page: We Grew
Up in Corpus Christi. “When you lose that youthful population, the church dies.”
Due to its age, the Landmark Commission declared this property to be a
Historical Landmark which protects it from being drastically altered or destroyed. Yet
having been vacant for almost a decade, the building soon began to deteriorate. Mold,
mice and asbestos led to its further decline and nearly caused the City to declare the
property as condemned.
Yet while one door closes, another one opens.
On August 2013, the Iglesia ni Cristo, Church of Christ, a non denominational
organization based in the Philippines, acquired the former South Bluff Methodist
Chapel Building. With its congregations increasing and spreading through out Texas and
surrounding states, members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo in Corpus Christi were in search of
a larger place to hold their services.
“For many years we were holding our services in the houses of the brethren or in
rented halls,” said Jackson Southard, a Head Deacon for the Iglesia ni Cristo. “We have
been praying to find a place of our own where we can hold services; not just any
building, but one that would be an inspiration for anyone who would see it.
As soon as renovations began, neighborhood residents and even former
members of the previous church reacted with surprise at the presence of construction
workers and equipment.
“We first found out it about the renovations on Facebook,” said Virginia Greer,
who belongs to the Facebook Page - We Grew up in Corpus Christi. “Robert Parks

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posted some photos, my whole family was excited to know this church building was
going to open up again to teach people about Jesus.”
The restoration of the former South Bluff Chapel was completed in March 2015.
The mildewed carpet, broken glass and boarded up windows were now replaced with a
fresh coat of pain, a large imported chandelier, frosted windows, ornately hand-carved
wooden podiums for the pulpit, a new custom Johanes organ, new pews and chairs ,
and glass shielding installed on the second story balcony. The original hardwood floors
were left intact and were repaired and re-varnished to its original sheen. The copper
from the chapel’s characteristic 4 turrets gleamed in the sunlight after workers cleaned
off the decades’ accumulation of green oxidation.
“The repairs that have been made are amazing,” said Robert Parks. “I’m a little
embarrassed to say, but this actually looks even better than when our original church
occupied this building.”
On March 28, 2015 over a thousand people flocked to Corpus Christi to witness
the Inauguration of the Iglesia Ni Cristo Chapel in South Bluff. Both Iglesia Ni Cristo
members and non member guests travelled many hours and hundreds of miles from
different parts of Texas and the United States, not only marvel at the chapel’s unique
design and beauty, but to also hear the message of hope delivered by Executive Minister
Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, who himself traveled halfway across the world from the
Philippines, to officiate the Chapel Dedication.
“The success of this event is proof that God is the one guiding the administrator
in fulfilling the advocacy of the Church Administration to provide all congregations with
their own chapel, as the Iglesia ni Cristo members always make serving God their
priority,” said Bro. Eduardo Javier, District Minister.
According to the pioneering members of Corpus Christi Local Congregation,
having a chapel of their own would improve missionary endeavors.
“We’re hoping for greater growth now that we have a better place of worship –
that should help with our Evangelical efforts, said Bro. Jackson Southard, Corpus Christi
Head Deacon.
For Robert Parks, having the Iglesia ni Cristo established in this community will
benefit the residents.

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“This is going to do more for this neighborhood, I think, not only because its a
beautiful building that’s been restored, but to have something like this come in. I think
that’s exactly what this neighborhood needs … needs a religious base to revive things
For Resident Minister, Bro. Gideon Soliman King, the name “Corpus Christi” –
which means ‘Body of Christ’ is an aptly named town for the Church of Christ – Iglesia
Ni Cristo to be established.
“This chapel is really for the community, this is for the whole town, and every
time we invite and bring visitors, not only will it be easier for us, but all the more they
can see the glory of God.”
Presently, the Iglesia Ni Cristo Church of Christ holds its services on Sundays at
10:00am and Wednesdays 7:30p with Children’s Worship Services at 12:00pm on
Sundays. It continues to service the community through Outreach and Evangelical
Mission programs.
For more information about the Iglesia ni Cristo, or further details about the
Iglesia ni Cristo Local Congregation of Corpus Christi Chapel Dedication, visit
www.incmedia.org
(Photo courtesy of skyscrapercity.com)