Who We Are
Our Vision
- At Mem1, we Believe in Christ, Belong to Christ and Serve Christ. We envision a world where everyone feels loved, valued, and accepted. We strive to create a community where people can come together to worship, learn, and grow in their faith.
About Us
Passionate Living with Purpose and Promise
Are you looking for a welcoming place to grow in God’s love? You have found it! Mem1 is a warm, spirit-touched faith community where ALL may grow in God’s love and grace. We are a community of faith that embraces diversity, builds strength through relationships of care & concern, and engages in ministry in a variety of ways. Our prayer is for you to discover faith that is stronger than the tough times; hope that gives you strength beyond your own and keeps a song in your heart; and love that crushes through barriers, builds bridges, and never gives up in what God can do.
Who We Are
Many of the principles articulated by Martin Luther and John Calvin are still at the core of Lutheran and Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. What these tenets mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe.
We believe and teach that there is a triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) who loves every person. To show his love, Jesus died on the cross for all of us! We Are A Unique, Inter-Denominational ELCA/PCUSA Congregation.
Who We Are
MISSION WORKS
- Salvation Army
- United Faith Alliance/Susan’s Market
- Gulf Coast ELCA
- Servolution Mainland
- Presbyterian Mission Agency
- Presbyterian Disaster Relief
- Youth Outreach
- Little Free Library
- Little Free Pantry
Weekly Events
SUNDAY:
- Adult Sunday School - 9:15am
- Worship - 10:15am in-person or online
TUESDAY:
- Busy Bunch - 9am-12pm
- Coffee & Chat - 9am
WEDNESDAY:
- Staff Meeting - 10am
- Choir Rehearsal - 6:30 -7:30pm
- Praise Band Rehearsal - 7:45 - 8:45pm
THURSDAY:
- Adult Bible Study - 11:00 - 12:00 pm
ACTIVITIES
- Women’s Groups
- Confirmation Classes
- Vacation Bible School
- Monthly Bunko
- Oktoberfest
- Team Trivia Contests
- Youth Camps
- Ladies’ Retreats
- Trunk-or-Treat
- Karaoke
- Adopt-A-Family
- Annual Youth Splash Bash
- Christmas Party
- Youth Garage Sale
Celebrating Our Community Through Photos
-2636bda.jpg/:/rs=w:370,cg:true,m)
-2c905fc.jpg/:/rs=w:370,cg:true,m)
.jpg/:/rs=w:370,cg:true,m)
Mem1 Church Staff
Pastor Chon Pugh
Pastor Chon Pugh (She/Her) has served the Lutheran church as a pastor for 20+ years, since 2020 at Mem 1. She loves to preach and teach, is creative, and has a heart for children and youth. She was baptized at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, AR, and attended Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio providing an ecumenical background for serving in a Lutheran and Presbyterian Congregation. She served congregations in North Carolina as a deaconess. And congregations in Arizona and Texas as a pastor. She is married to Danny Pugh, her high school sweetheart, since 1976. They have four grown children and 18 grandchildren. She loves Sonic's shaved ice and unsweet tea with lime. And to binge watch Project Runway, Big Bang and West Wing.
Email: Pastorchon@mem1.org
.jpeg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:600,cg:true)
Julia Hollenshead
Julia Hollenshead (She/Her) is the administrative assistant at Mem1. She is the one who answers the phone, and greats you at the door. She has a bachelors degree in science of psychology, and has been with Mem1 since October of 2023. In her spare time you can find her traveling, crochet or even reading a book.
Email: office@mem1.org
Carter Kelly
Carter Kelly (He/Him) runs the sound and livestream for service, along with assisting with any technical needs the church needs. He graduated from COM with his associates in Technical Theatre, while working in the tech theatre world for over 8 years now. He started here at Mem1 back in late 2024. He enjoys spending time with friends, cats, and his fiance Felicity.
Email: Carterkelly2004@gmail.com
Kylie Higgins
Kylie Higgins (She/Her) is the social media director at Mem1, Kylie joined our team in February,2026. Everything that is posted on our website or social media is done by her as well as our weekly big 3. Kylie also teaches the childrens sunday school, during the week she works for a preschool teaching prek 4.
Memorial Lutheran History
1942-1948
1942 – A group met to worship in the home of Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Koepke.
1942 – Worship moved to the Old Fellows Hall.
October 1, 1944 – Constitution and bylaws were adopted. Pastor E. A Heye served as organizing pastor. Charter members 19 adults, 19 children, “Texas City Lutheran Church.”
Nov. 1944 – Property at 518 Fourth Ave N was purchased for $4,000.00.
Feb. 11, 1945 – First baptism – Betty Joe Adkins.
January 30, 1946- First child born to congregation – Joseph Edwards (Pete) Parker.
May 19, 1946 – First resident pastor installed – Reverend R.H. Trojan.
October, 1946 – Pastor Trojan resigns.
February 23 1947 – Pastor Pempeit was installed as pastor.
April 16, 1947 – Grand Camp exploded – Church damaged beyond repair.
March 18, 1948 – Land was donated at Ninth Ave. and 4th St. Land was broken for a new church.
May 1948 – Church was renamed Memorial Lutheran Church of Texas City.
1948-1960
June 1948 – Pastor Pompeit left to minister in New York.
1948 – First Confirmation class and first choir.
1948 – 1949 – Reverend A.L. Pfennig presided.
December 19, 1948 – New church building was dedicated.
February, 1949 – Reverend Henry Engeling – ordained and installed as pastor.
1949 – First Acolytes.
1949 – First Funeral – Mr. Elmer v Dever.
1950 – First weddings – Emil Stock to Dorothy Black, and Evelyn Mewis to Bruce Jolly.
1951 – First Luther League.
1955 – Ground broken for Phase I Educational facilities, first organ dedicated.
1955 – Elizabeth Pfennig first organist, Karen Reinhart first Parish worker.
1956 – Education building was dedicated.
1957 – Parsonage built 1215 San Jacinto.
1958 – Kindergarten established.
1961-1966
1960 – Decision to expand facilities.
1960 – ALC, UELC,ELC merged to form The American Lutheran Church.
January 1961 – Pastor Engeling resigns for call in Forth Worth.
1961 – Interim Pastor T.J.Roth.
July 16, 1961 – Reverend Hilmer Krause installed as pastor.
September 11, 1961 – Hurricane Carla Hit – 3 inches water in sanctuary and 16 inches in parsonage. 1962 – NASA locates to Clear Lake
September 1966 – Reverend Richard Jones installed as pastor.
December 2, 1966 – Reverend Jones and wife were killed in a car wreck.
December 5, 1966 – First funeral in new sanctuary – Reverend Jones and wife.
December 27, 1966 – Mariana Larson married John Vesey – first wedding in new sanctuary.
August 14, 1966 – Phase II of education building was finished and dedicated. Manske Memorial Chapel was dedicated. Fisherman’s Cross was used in design.
1966-1991
February 1967 – Reverend J. Weldon Smith was installed as pastor.
1967 – Stained Glass windows installed in sanctuary.
1970 – Wayne Craig – member – killed in active duty, Vietnam.
August 17, 1975 – Douglas Guthier, a son of the congregation, was ordained.
January 1976 – Pastor Smith resigned for call in McGregor, Texas.
1976 – Pastor L.G. Wehman serves as pastor.
1977 – a refugee resettlement committee is formed, and the Thao family is welcomed from Vietnam. June 1979 – Arthur Lowe, a son of the congregation, was ordained.
February 1985 – Pastor Wehman resigns.
1985 -1988 – Pastor Scott Cigich serves as pastor.
1988-1991 – Pastor Donald Cole serves as pastor.
1991 to 1992 – Pastor James Bezaire serves as pastor
August 1993 –1998 Pastor Ralph Reitmeyer serves as pastor
1991-2020
April 1999 – 2006 – Pastor Veit serves as pastor
February 9, 2004 – The sanctuary catches on fire due to a faulty heating element. Worship meets in activity center.
July, 2004 – Purchased 9.2 acres at 2021 29th St N.
August, 2004 – Former church sanctuary was razed.
February 2005 – Began work on new church building and campus.
Easter Sunday 2005 – First Service on new property.
December 3, 2006 – New building is dedicated.
2006-2008 – Interim time served by various pulpit supply.
2008 – 2014 - Wayne Clement serves and attends seminary.
2014 – 2015 - Rev. Wayne Clement serves as ordained pastor.
October 2014 – Presbyterians arrive.
2015-2017 – Rev. Richard Kleiman serves as pastor.
2018 – 2019 – Kari Niedermaier intern and Rev. Liz Stein Supervisor interim.
2019-2020 – Pastor Steve Stutz, interim.
2020-present – Pastor Chon Pugh.
First Presbyterian History
1920-1946
1920s-1930s – The presbyterian Church met for worship in Texas City until economics caused the organization to fail.
March 16, 1941 – Organizational meeting with Rev. R. L. Owens, Supt. of Home Missions, Brazos Presbytery. The church chartered with pastor Albert E. Rhumann and 35 charter members.
1941-1943 – The church met at the old City Hall/Jail, then at the American Legion Hall.
1943 – The first permanent facilities were completed (1112 7th St) including a small sanctuary, pastor’s office/home, and 3 classrooms. No Sunday school held in summer due to polio epidemic. Rev. Rhumann departed in 1943 to become a WWII Navy chaplain.
1943-1950 – Rev. Henry W. Quinius served as pastor.
1944 – Manse was purchased (818 11th Ave N).
1945-1946 – The sanctuary was expanded, and classrooms were added; membership was 149 with 6 elders and 10 deacons.
1947-1967
April 16, 1947 – Texas City Disaster; 10 members killed, 6 injured including Griz Eckert, who was the JH Sunday School teacher.
1948 – Memorial organ dedicated honoring members killed in the 1947 explosion.
Early 1950s – Chartered Boy Scout Troop 232.
1951-1953 Rev. Wentz J Miller served as pastor.
1953 – No Sunday school held in summer due to polio epidemic.
1954-1963 Rev. David M. Currie served as pastor.
1954-55 – 2 story education building added.
1958 – Bonds sold to finance a new sanctuary.
1960 – New 400 seat Sanctuary, church offices, library, and choir room completed.
September 11, 1961 – Hurricane Carla flooded TC including church property.
1963-1969 – Rev. Herb Meza served as pastor.
Early 1960s – Several members started LaMarque Presbyterian.
1967 – The Interlude, a teenage coffee house, became a popular gathering point for the youth community; So popular that the fire department had to limit the gym occupancy.
1969-2000
1969-1990 – Rev. Allan C. Anderson served as pastor. During his tenure the TCMA and the CWU were formed. They helped found the TC Day Nursery. Archie Faires offered community counseling.
1972 – Hosted Presbytery meeting; Clark Chamberlain, son of the congregation, was ordained.
Late 80s-early 90s – the Church worked with Memorial Lutheran and First Methodist to co-sponsor VBS.
1991-1998 – Rev. Rick Elliott served as pastor. Hosted Presbytery meeting in 1996.
1999-2000 – Rev. Pat Clark served as interim pastor.
2000-2005 – Rev. Kathryn Morton served as pastor.
Early 2000s – Boy Scout Troop 232 celebrated 50 year anniversary.
Early 2000s – LaMarque and Dickinson Presbyterian churches built relationships and shared ministries including youth conclaves, and mission trips to Mexico through the Communities Unidad Pro Solud.
2005-2014
2005-2006 – Rev. Rich Lounsbery served as interim pastor.
2006-2008 – Rev. Skip Ehrlich served as pastor. Small group studies were initiated.
2009- Rev. Helen Deleon served as Session Moderator, using pulpit supply for worship.
2010-2012 – Rev. Leigh Wisner served as part-time Stated Supply pastor. The church continued to struggle with declining membership and building maintenance costs.
2012 – LaMarque Presbyterian Church closed; some of their members joined FPCTC.
2012-2018 – Rev. Richard Kleiman served as part-time Stated Supply pastor.
2014 – The Congregation decided to remain together, but to depart from and sell the building. They planned to “nest” in a temporary location while discerning a path forward.
September 28, 2014 – We held our final service at 1112 7th St. On October 5, 2014 they began sharing space at the Memorial Lutheran building on 2021 29th St.
2015-2020
2015 –Rev. Richard Kleiman began serving both First Presbyterian and Memorial Lutheran, which quickly resulted in a combined single worship service reflecting both traditions. Both the New Covenant Presbytery and Lutheran Gulf Coast Synod endorsed the churches exploring how to serve our community in ministry together.
August 25, 2017 – FPC gave Dickinson Presbyterian many of our stored liturgical items after Hurricane Harvey.
2018 – The building at 1112 7th St sold, and the proceeds were placed into savings for future ministry.
2018-2019 Intern Kari Neidermaier and her supervisor Rev. Liz Stein served as interim to both churches.
2019-2020 – Rev. Steve Stutz served as interim to both churches
September 2020 – Rev. Chon Pugh called as full-time pastor. An agreement of financial support was formalized by First Presbyterian with Memorial Lutheran. The two churches continue becoming one ministry, “Mem1”, with PCUSA and the ELCA.