An open Bible resting on weathered wooden planks, its pages turned to the Psalms.

Established in San Marcos · Serving the Dunbar Neighborhood for over a century

A church family
still standing,
still gathering.

Our building was lost. Our congregation was not. We worship every Sunday at 11:00 AM in Todd Hall at First UMC San Marcos, and the welcome at our door is the same as it has always been.

Plan a visitOur story

A word of welcome

If you are new to faith, new to San Marcos, or just looking for a place that feels like home — there is a seat for you.

Jackson Chapel has been a steady, faithful presence in San Marcos for more than 100 years. We are a historically African American United Methodist congregation rooted in the Dunbar Neighborhood, and the love we've carried for our neighbors across generations is the same love we extend to anyone who walks through the door for the first time.

We are family-oriented and community-focused. Come as you are.

Plan your visit

Where and when we gather

Sunday Mornings

  • 10:00 AMSunday School
  • 11:00 AMWorship

Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month.

Where to find us

Todd Hall

At First UMC San Marcos
129 W. Hutchison St.
San Marcos, TX 78666

Get directions →

What to expect

A warm welcome, hymns and prayer, a biblically grounded message, and a congregation that will know your name by your second visit.

Dress is comfortable. Your questions are welcome.

Todd Hall — the white Gothic Revival building with a pointed-arch entrance and the words 'Todd Hall' above the doors.
Todd Hall, where we worship — adjacent to the main First UMC sanctuary

When you arrive

A few practical notes for your first visit.

Finding the chapel

We worship in Grace Lowman Chapel inside Todd Hall, the white building adjacent to the main First UMC sanctuary. Look for the pointed-arch entrance with “Todd Hall” above the doors.

Parking — please read

Free parking is across the street, in the lot clearly marked “First UMC Parking.”

We're in downtown San Marcos, where most of the surrounding spaces belong to local businesses and Texas State University — and they are aggressively enforced. Please don't park at the metered or pay-by-plate spots near the building; tickets and tows happen quickly, and we'd hate that to be your first impression.

A note on who we are

Our beloved chapel building in the Dunbar Neighborhood was lost some years ago, but our congregation has remained. Until we rebuild on our land, we worship as a guest congregation at First UMC San Marcos. When you arrive, look for the Jackson Chapel welcome.

A pastor preaching from a pulpit with the Serenity Prayer framed on the wall behind him.
From the pulpit · A recent Sunday service

Our story

A century of faith on the same ground.

Jackson Chapel has served the Dunbar Neighborhood and the greater San Marcos community for over 100 years. We are part of the United Methodist Church, and we are proud of that heritage — its emphasis on grace, its tradition of worship, and its call to serve the neighbor in front of us.

Though our chapel building is no longer standing, we still hold the land it sat on and the calling it represented. Today we worship as guests of First UMC San Marcos while we look toward what God is doing next on that ground.

  • 100+Years in San Marcos
  • UMCProud United Methodist congregation
  • DunbarOur neighborhood, our home

Life at Jackson Chapel

More than a Sunday morning.

Worship is the heart of who we are, but the life of this congregation flows out into fellowship, service, and care for our neighbors.

Members of the congregation gathered together in fellowship.

United Women in Faith

Women's Ministry

A community of women supporting one another in faith, fellowship, and service. Gatherings throughout the year for prayer, study, and celebration.

Church members serving neighbors in the community.

In the community

Service & Outreach

Sharing meals, offering presence, and showing up for our neighbors — the way the church has always shown up in San Marcos.

The congregation gathered for a Christmas service.

Through the seasons

Worship & Music

From Advent and Christmas to Easter and Pentecost, our music ministry carries the rhythms of the church year.

Prayer Request

We would be honored to pray with you.

Send a request — a name, a situation, a celebration — and a member of our prayer ministry will lift it up.

Stay in touch

Keep up with Jackson Chapel

For service notes, neighborhood gatherings, and news about what's next, email us and we'll keep you posted.

Email the church

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2 NRSV

Contact

Reach out.

We'd love to hear from you — whether you're planning a visit, asking a question, or wanting to be part of what's next.

  • Emailadmin@jacksonumcsm.org
  • Sunday worship atTodd Hall, at First UMC San Marcos
    129 W. Hutchison St., San Marcos, TX 78666
  • Primary contactCedric Gilmore