Historical Walk

As you walk and visit each historical marker, follow along on this page for more in-depth details about each space.

50 years

Our story began in the 1970s, with a vision to bring a new church to Burleson, a vision that would change the legacy for generations to come.

1

ORIGINAL SANCTUARY

1974

This area was the original building and site for worship and gatherings. It was the realized vision of a small group of families to build a Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burleson, Texas.

In 1971, six families felt the stirring of the Holy Spirit to start a church in Burleson, a place to invite their family and friends who were far from God. From that experience, St. Matthew Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Pathway Church) was formed.

On November 7, 1971 the first worship service was held in the choir room at Hughes middle school, led by Rev. Tom Campbell. Services began at 9 a.m. with Sunday School following at 10 a.m. They had around seventy people in worship.

In June 1972, 2 acres on Tarrant street were purchased. On February 10, 1974 we moved into our new worship space in the sanctuary which is later known as KidQuest Theater.

On 1986, Rick Owen became our Senior Pastor. We offered donuts and coffee with Libby at 9:30, we grew together in Sunday School at 9:40, and we worshiped together at 11:00.

The dream was to reach 300 people for Christ and they had no idea how God would answer that prayer…

2

SANCTUARY

1990

This 350 seat traditional worship space was added to accommodate rapid growth. The sanctuary provided shared space for traditional services and the initiation of the first contemporary services.

In this season of the church, the spirit of invitation was alive and well. Attendance grew from 40 people in worship to almost 200 people in worship over the next two years. The addition of a second worship service helped with the growth, but we soon became aware that a new facility was needed.

On Easter of 1990, the new sanctuary (our current sanctuary) hosted its first worship service. A nursery was built alongside this sanctuary to help meet the needs of the young families attending.

As we followed God’s direction, the vision continued to grow. After much prayer, the adjacent five acres (where Quest Hall and the Arc reside) were purchased in 1996 to allow for future growth.

In 1997, Judy Madden was brought on as Director of Lay Ministries.

Our worship times were 8:30 and 10:55, yet there was a vision for something new. We began praying for the next season of the church, for an additional style of worship, and for God to provide us with musical leadership to begin a contemporary worship service.

3

Education Wing

1998

Classroom and education wing added for Sunday school students and Christian School.

As God’s vision of the church continued to grow, there was a desire to make full use of the facility during the week in a way that served the families that were coming. In 1991, St. Matthew Fun School (later called Pathway Christian Academy) began. This season began with a leap of faith. The Education Wing (Quest Hallway) was built in 1998, even though our finances suggested we wait.

Our leadership continued to grow with the ordination of Rev. Linda Snelling in 1999.

Our worship times were 8:30 (traditional), 9:40 (contemporary), and 10:55 (traditional). All services, one space…as we grew towards the vision…

 

4

Pathway Gardens

2001

The expansion of our campus continued as we purchased the land across Thomas Street, where our Community Garden sits. We also purchased the land across Tarrant Street where our additional parking sits.

This property was acquired to extend God’s reach into the community. The vision grew over the years to include a garden, a place for prayer, a community playground and a fitness path.

 

3

Education Wing

1998

Classroom and education wing added for Sunday school students and Christian School.

As God’s vision of the church continued to grow, there was a desire to make full use of the facility during the week in a way that served the families that were coming. In 1991, St. Matthew Fun School (later called Pathway Christian Academy) began. This season began with a leap of faith. The Education Wing (Quest Hallway) was built in 1998, even though our finances suggested we wait.

Our leadership continued to grow with the ordination of Rev. Linda Snelling in 1999.

Our worship times were 8:30 (traditional), 9:40 (contemporary), and 10:55 (traditional). All services, one space…as we grew towards the vision…

4

Pathway Gardens

2001

The expansion of our campus continued as we purchased the land across Thomas Street, where our Community Garden sits. We also purchased the land across Tarrant Street where our additional parking sits.

This property was acquired to extend God’s reach into the community. The vision grew over the years to include a garden, a place for prayer, a community playground and a fitness path.

 

5

ARC

2003

The Activities and Recreation Center was originally built to provide a place for students and serve the community. Because of our continued growth, the ARC became our primary worship space for 18 years.

This season began with the fruition of prayers, work, sacrifice, and generosity. In May 2003, the ARC (student ministry and contemporary service building) opened its doors.

In just a few years after opening the ARC, the 9:40 service reached beyond capacity. To make room for more, the Saturday 6:00 service was added to the weekend schedule in January 2006.

Along with the growing body, our pastoral staff grew during this season. Rev. Jeff Gehle joined our pastoral staff and Rev. Donna Schmoyer was ordained here in 2006. In 2011, Rev. Allan Mink was ordained. In 2012, Rev. Judy Madden was ordained.

Through the spirit of invitation within the body, we continued to grow. In October 2010, an additional contemporary service was added. Our weekend worship schedule became: Saturday 6:00 contemporary; Sunday 8:15 traditional; Sunday 9:30 and 11:00 contemporary.

By 2013, 977 people attended St. Matthew weekly. We could have stayed there and been comfortable for years to come. God had more planned for the local church, and we are thankful to never let his calling be silenced by comfort.

 

6

Crossing

2015

This open area was built with the purpose to connect the traditional sanctuary with the ARC, as well as provide a gathering place for family, friends and groups. The Neighborhood created a fun and exciting, safe place for infants through walkers to learn about God‘s love.

In 2014, after 3 years in prayer, our name was changed from St. Matthew to Pathway Church in an effort to bring those far from God close to God. We had a new name, but our mission stayed the same.

In an effort to help create the space for community, we expanded our campus by adding the crossing in 2015. We prayed, celebrated, and wrote prayers on the underlying structure during construction. We also celebrated the opening of ‘The Neighborhood’ where our children 5 & Under experience worship weekly.

Our pastoral leadership continued to grow. In 2015, Rev. Josh Fortney was ordained. In 2019, Rev. Chris Bohon was ordained.

As we moved into a new season with a new name, our growth continued. The current weekend schedule could not accommodate the number of families walking into our doors. In the fall of 2017, we expanded to five worship services: Saturday 6:00 contemporary; Sunday 8:15 traditional; Sunday 9:00, 10:25, and 11:50 contemporary.

By 2019, 1371 people attended Pathway weekly. God’s vision for Pathway continued to grow as God positioned us to locally equip parents to be the spiritual leaders of their homes and to share the love of Jesus globally.

This property was acquired to extend God’s reach into the community. The vision grew over the years to include a garden, a place for prayer, a community playground and a fitness path.

This open area was built with the purpose to connect the traditional sanctuary with the ARC, as well as provide a gathering place for family, friends and groups. The Neighborhood created a fun and exciting, safe place for infants through walkers to learn about God‘s love.

In 2014, after 3 years in prayer, our name was changed from St. Matthew to Pathway Church in an effort to bring those far from God close to God. We had a new name, but our mission stayed the same.

In an effort to help create the space for community, we expanded our campus by adding the crossing in 2015. We prayed, celebrated, and wrote prayers on the underlying structure during construction. We also celebrated the opening of ‘The Neighborhood’ where our children 5 & Under experience worship weekly.

Our pastoral leadership continued to grow. In 2015, Rev. Josh Fortney was ordained. In 2019, Rev. Chris Bohon was ordained.

As we moved into a new season with a new name, our growth continued. The current weekend schedule could not accommodate the number of families walking into our doors. In the fall of 2017, we expanded to five worship services: Saturday 6:00 contemporary; Sunday 8:15 traditional; Sunday 9:00, 10:25, and 11:50 contemporary.

By 2019, 1371 people attended Pathway weekly. God’s vision for Pathway continued to grow as God positioned us to locally equip parents to be the spiritual leaders of their homes and to share the love of Jesus globally.

This property was acquired to extend God’s reach into the community. The vision grew over the years to include a garden, a place for prayer, a community playground and a fitness path.

7

The Center

2021

Built with reaching one more in mind; one more family legacy changed, one more life connected to God, and beyond. 1,001 seats for worship and space for community events.

The vision is alive and thriving now! Hundreds of young families and their children flock through our doors every weekend. Marriages are being restored. Children and youth are being raised by parents who are intentionally leading their homes in the way of Jesus.

People who have been beaten, burned out, and bruised by the harsh realities of life are being restored. People who have turned their backs on the church are falling deeply in love with our good, good Father. Lives are being changed!

We have experienced firsthand the transforming love of God in Pathway because of those who came before us relentlessly pursued God’s original vision. And now we have the opportunity to do the same for generations that will come after us.

7

The Center

2021

Built with reaching one more in mind; one more family legacy changed, one more life connected to God, and beyond. 1,001 seats for worship and space for community events.

The vision is alive and thriving now! Hundreds of young families and their children flock through our doors every weekend. Marriages are being restored. Children and youth are being raised by parents who are intentionally leading their homes in the way of Jesus.

People who have been beaten, burned out, and bruised by the harsh realities of life are being restored. People who have turned their backs on the church are falling deeply in love with our good, good Father. Lives are being changed!

We have experienced firsthand the transforming love of God in Pathway because of those who came before us relentlessly pursued God’s original vision. And now we have the opportunity to do the same for generations that will come after us.