Bushes back split as Dallas church votes to leave UMC
George W. Bush and Laura Bush supported the 90% vote to dissolve ties, defying a bishop's order to keep the congregation under United Methodist Church rules.
By Grace Almasi ·
Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, sided with the majority of their Dallas congregation in a decisive vote to leave the United Methodist Church. The couple, who have attended Highland Park Methodist Church since 1989, participated in the in-person vote held last month. The measure passed with 90% approval among nearly 5,000 voters who cast ballots.
The vote followed a legal dispute where the national denomination sued the local church for changing its bylaws. The split centers on control of the church's assets and governance authority. Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., head of the UMC's Horizon Conference, declared that the church would remain part of the UMC despite the local vote. He moved to remove the existing leadership and ministers, appointing new officials in their place.
Highland Park leaders rejected the bishop's authority. The megachurch announced that services would continue as usual and that it would drop the word "United" from its name to mark the departure. The church now operates as Highland Park Methodist Church. Bishop Saenz announced that official UMC services would be held at a nearby Methodist church to avoid conflict. More than 100 members attended that service on October 25.
Freddy Ford, the former president's chief of staff, said the Bushes are grateful to Reverend Matt Tuggle for guiding the congregation through the transition. The Bushes have maintained ties to the Dallas church for decades. George W. Bush converted to Methodism after marrying Laura Bush in 1977. The couple joined the congregation in the late 1980s.
The former president served in various roles at the church before his political career took him to the governorship and the White House. He taught Sunday School and helped lead a multi-million-dollar capital campaign. He was also slated to become the church's finance chairman before running for Texas governor in 1994. The Bushes kept Highland Park as their home church during his time as governor and president, and they have lived in Dallas since leaving the presidency.
The split divides the community of the historic building. The newly named Highland Park Methodist Church held multiple Sunday services in its original 100-year-old structure. Nearly 8,000 members attended those gatherings. The smaller group aligned with the UMC continues to worship at the alternative location.
