John Wesley United Methodist Church is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year after being chartered in September 1971. The church’s current senior pastor is Reverend Marty Dunbar, who has been with the church since 2015 and is the church’s sixth senior pastor.

“God has planted this church in this place for so many reasons,” Dunbar said in an informational packet written by church member Barbara Dyer. “Our mission and ministry are just getting started for another 50 years.”

Rev. Herb Rohloff Jr. founded the church in 1971 with the help of 15 local couples, and by the end of that year, 119 people attended the church’s services, which were held in Matzke Elementary School, according to Dyer. The church’s current sanctuary was built in the 1990s, and the first service was held there in September 1992.

John Wesley UMC is located at 5830 Bermuda Dunes Drive, Houston. 281-444-2112. www.jwumc.org