In 1846, Frederick David Karbach came to Comal County. He was a devoted Christian and rode many miles to hear a Methodist circuit rider, John Wesley DeVilbiss. Methodist classes were organized to meet in homes. On March 7, 1853, the first Quarterly Conference was held, establishing the New Braunfels German Mission. "The Karbach Settlement" was the core of Methodism.

Meetings were held on ranches until 1858, when a building was erected on the corner of Common and Union Streets in New Braunfels. That building was used until 1913, when a new building was built on West San Antonio Street. In 1951, the present sanctuary was erected, and other buildings were added through later years.

Bischoeflicken Methodist Church,1853
Southern German Methodist Conference
Located in Comal Town (near the present day intersection of Common and Union Streets)

Construction of Karbach Memorial Methodist Church on San Antonio Street, circa 1912.  One man in this photo identified as John Lay.

Completed Karbach Memorial Methodist Church, New Braunfels on San Antonio Street. 

Note the hitching posts out front!

The current church building was opened in 1953.  The date of this photo is unknown but was taken either Palm  Sunday or Easter Sunday.