In the middle 19th century, efforts began to create a regional shipping center and port in this vicinity, and by 1890 plans were well underway to dig a ship channel and develop Aransas Harbor City. Residents of Aransas Harbor, now Aransas Pass, used the Dwyer and Drummond Pavilion for meetings and events, and on February 22, 1891, seven men and women organized there as the First Methodist Episcopal Church, South, under the leadership of the Rev. J.W. Groves. The Rev. J.W. Sims arrived later that year to serve as pastor. Many early ministers lived in nearby Rockport, serving a congregation there and traveling to Aransas Pass twice monthly for Sunday services. In late 1892, the church built its first sanctuary on what is now South McCampbell Street and shared it with the local Christian Church, the second congregation organized in the community. Rockport and Aransas Pass Methodists shared a pastor in the early years and also met frequently for picnics and fellowship. Pastors serving the two congregations later added an Ingleside Charge, but in 1940 the Aransas Pass church established a full-time pastorate during a boom in the city's economy. Over the years, members built new facilities and survived several major storms. After Hurricane Celia devastated the area in 1970, the church's education wing served as the Aransas Emergency Hospital for four months and the fellowship hall became a community communications center. Through outreach and service programs, as well as fellowship, worship, education, and music, the congregation continues to support and sustain residents of Aransas Pass.