About HPUMC 

We worship in many ways at Highland Park United Methodist Church. Our congregation's common bond is our commitment to God and to the church through the continued growth of its ministries.

What We Believe

Our beliefs as United Methodists are summarized in our Articles of Religion and our Confession of Faith. Some of our key beliefs are as follows:

We worship one God as the three divine Persons of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is truly God and truly human, and we praise God's goodness shown in Christ's self offering, which involved His life, His crucifixion, and death, and His resurrection from the dead.

It has been the distinctive gift of the Methodist tradition to emphasize the work of God in bringing men and women to conviction (knowledge of our need for God's grace), to conversion (pardon from sin that comes by faith in Christ as a gift from God), and to Christian holiness (growing in the likeness of God, as we are empowered by God's grace, both as individuals and as communities).

Our church also insists that the grace of God is available to all persons. Christ is "the true light, which enlightens everyone." (John 1:9).

We practice baptism of infants and adults as Christ's appointed means of bringing persons into the fellowship of the church, and we practice holy communion as Christ's appointed means of celebrating Christ's offering for us and the fellowship we have with Christ and with each other.

For more information about Methodism, please refer to the United Methodist Church's Book of Discipline.

Membership 

If you are considering joining HPUMC as a member, there are three ways to unite with this church family:

    * Transfer of membership from another United Methodist Church;
    * Transfer from another denomination;
    * Profession of faith

If you have not been baptized, our ministers will be happy to baptize you at the time of your decision to join or privately before joining Highland Park United Methodist Church.

For additional information about the church and what we believe as United Methodists, or, if you would like to join Highland Park United Methodist Church, please fill out our Membership Form, or contact Kay Porter at 214.523.2227 or porterk@hpumc.org.

We encourage those considering church membership to attend HPUMC's orientation class.  Reservations are appreciated.  Please contact Lauri Lueder at 214.523.2246 or luederl@hpumc.org.

 If you're a visitor looking for more information on our services, programs and events, please let us know and we'll contact you with that information.

History 

The first services of the University Church, the forerunner of HPUMC, were held in February 1916 on the SMU campus.  Within months, the church changed its name, when Methodist families in Highland Park agreed to transfer their membership to the university congregation.

Construction of the present building began in 1926, during the ministry of Dr. Umphrey Lee.  Inspired by his dream of a campus cathedral, the congregation authorized plans rich in gothic detail.  The dream became a reality when members gathered on Sunday, February 6, 1927, for the first formal service of worship in the new sanctuary.

In 1995, HPUMC welcomed Mark Craig as Senior Minister. He oversees a staff of more than 100 and is only the 10th pastor to have served this church in 90 years.  Under his leadership, the congregation has grown to over 13,000 members.  Many new ministries and missions, such as Night Owls and Carpenters for Christ, have been formed to support causes that Rev. Craig is passionate about.  We now offer five types of worship opportunities on the same campus.

Fast facts...

Did you know

...only 28% of HPUMC’s more than 13,000 members reside in the Park Cities area? You’re welcome no matter where you live!

...HPUMC has more than 15 different support groups, including groups for those who are struggling with divorce, alcoholism, over-eating, debt management, families with mental illness, grief, family suicide, and children with special needs?

...HPUMC’s Carpenters for Christ Ministry has committed to build 100 homes for Habitat for Humanity over the next ten years? This is the largest faith-based commitment to Habitat in the world!

...the Children’s Ministry of HPUMC serves more than 1,400 families on Sunday mornings?

...the Vacation Bible School program at HPUMC annually enrolls more than 850 children between the ages of 2 and 11?

...our Night Owls Program, a respite program for families with special needs children, is one of only two of its kind in Dallas?

...HPUMC members raised more than $1.5 million for the victims of Hurricane Katrina?

...HPUMC is engaged in missions in more than 16 countries around the world, including Costa Rica, Haiti, Nigeria, and Nepal?

...our congregation sends over 500 inner-city kids to summer camp every year?

When visiting Highland Park United Methodist Church, please stop by our Welcome Centers located near the Sanctuary or in the Wallace Building on Sunday mornings to find out more about HPUMC!  Our greeters will personally welcome you and guide you to your destination.