In 1859 Utopia was made a mission of the Rio Grande Conference, which had been established in 1858 by the General Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. In the aftermath of the Civil War, about 1873, many staunch Methodists located here, among them the Harpers, Simpsons, Jones, and also George Barker, who was credited with naming the town "Utopia."

In 1879, Irvin Jones deeded land in Utopia for a church and in 1888, Robert Kincheloe added to that land. In "History of the Utopia Church," the late W.H. Fisher wrote, "The Church was very likely organized by Andrew Jackson Potter, preacher and Indian fighter." After Potter was moved further into the frontier, the work in the Sabinal Canyon was taken up by H. G. Horton. He preached monthly in the canyon on the long double gallery of the Bob Kincheloe home.

Potter, assisted by J.A.J. Smith, held the first camp meeting in the Sabinal Canyon in 1868. Through the 1880s many camp meetings were held in the Sabinal Canyon and were widely known throughout the area. Families came as far as forty miles, camping on the grounds in covered wagons and tents. Many early preachers of the Methodist church would be in attendance and would take turns preaching under a large brush arbor, holding five services a day.

In 1892, the present church was constructed. One thousand dollars was raised for lumber and the labor was donated by the church members. The total cost came to around $3,000. The construction was under the direction of Mr. Croft, who built many of the early day structures in Utopia. Some of the leaders of the project were J.E. (Lige) Crane, Fred Smith, and Albert Harper. George Harper cut all of the frames for the Gothic-style windows and the round windows in the gables.

For many years, the sanctuary had to serve for Sunday school, with classes gathered in groups. Later, a tabernacle was built which was used in the summer. George Barker was an early Sunday School Superintendent. On Sunday and Wednesday nights folks in town could see the light from his lantern swinging down the road as he walked to church.

The first educational building was completed in 1947 under the pastorate of Philip Dibrell. The next major remodeling was done in 1956–57 during the ministry of Earl Slade. The walls of the sanctuary were covered with sheetrock and paneled at the lower area. New lighting was installed and new pews and pulpit purchased. In the 1950s a fellowship hall was added on the south of the educational building. For years, this room served as the only large assembly place in the entire town of Utopia — birthday parties, Garden Club, senior proms, and Lions' Club all met here.

A major event of the 1960s was "Camp Meeting 1966," commemorating the 200th anniversary of Methodism in America. Keynote speaker was Rev. Kermit Long of Nashville, and Rev. Dick Freeman of Cameron was song leader. A twenty-mile trail ride, including horseback riders, wagons and buggies, was headed up by Billy Fisher. About 275 folks camped out at Utopia Community Park, and attendance at the meetings reached 500 people.

Building projects continued through the decades. In the early 1960s, under the pastorate of Cliff Edge, an addition was built which added classrooms to the east of the original educational building. In 1981, a modern brick parsonage was completed, and during the ministry of Gene Moore in the mid-1980s, still another large wing was added. In the sanctuary, the large rugged cross and mesquite communion table, both handcrafted by Dave Garrison, were added in 1978.

The first stained glass window, depicting Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, is a signed work of art given by Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Kelley in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Harper — the signature reads "Deberle '54." Other windows in the sanctuary were given in 1961 in memory of Rev. O.A. Fisher and his wife by the Wheeler families of San Antonio. Additional windows given in 1978 honor the memories of J.V. Porter, C.F. Porter, Paul Redden, Clyde Pink, Ella Fisher Harper, Elizabeth Fisher Wentworth, and Mattie and W.H. Fisher. The circular window in the east wall was given in memory of Gladys Jones by her husband, Frank W. Jones.

The Mary Frank and Paul Davis Scholarship Fund was established in the 1970s with an endowment given by Ferrell and Polly Davis and Paul, Jr. and Betty Davis in honor of their parents. Rev. Laura Smith Adam, the first woman pastor to serve in our community, came in 1989. Two years later she initiated "Face-Lift '91," a major repair and improvement project which prepared the congregation for the 100th anniversary of the church building in 1992.

A book-length history of the church was published, thanks to the many years of research, careful recordkeeping, and talented writing of Annalee Burns. The centennial event was celebrated in September 1992 with preaching, singing, fellowship, and food. A time capsule monument was built of native rock, artistically constructed by Skeet and Melba Birkner — it is to be opened in 2092.

The cedar pier and beam church foundation needed strengthening in 2002, resulting in a major renovation of the sanctuary. Under the direction of project manager Roger Swift, the building was raised five feet off the ground and later lowered onto a new foundation. Much of the interior was restored to its original appearance, and the entire community supported this ambitious endeavor.

An important component of worship at Utopia UMC is the music program. Lucille Matthews, granddaughter of minister O.A. Fisher, began playing the piano as a young girl and served the church until the 1970s — calling people into the sanctuary with "The Church In The Wildwood" played on the chimes. In the early 1970s, Lucille's young cousin Diane Causey began accompanying her at the piano. In the late 1970s, Elinor Feland assumed duties at the organ and blessed the congregation with beautiful music for 30 years. Today, Ruth Anne Cox plays piano, and Mark Hall and Kathleen Lewis accompany on guitar and voice.

Today, we are awaiting our new Pastor but we have vibrant fill-in Pastors until our new Pastor arrives. We enjoy fifth Sunday sing-a-longs with surrounding churches, men's prayer breakfasts, and women's Bible studies. Children participate in Children's Time within the worship service, and money for various missions is raised with monthly "noisy" offerings. The prayer chain gives immediate notice of needs in the church family and community so that we can reach out to others in ministry. Please join us!