In 2008 Gethsemane UCC and Evangel UCC merged as one congregation. As a sign of our unified congregation and reflective of the spirit of our merger made possible by the grace of God, both Evangel and Gethsemane adopted the new name of Grace United Church of Christ for our congregation.

Gethsemane began with the decision of the Houston Missions Committee in 1961 to establish a UCC in Southwest Houston.  Committed individuals met in homes and local elementary schools for worship, fellowship, and ministry. A two-acre tract of land was purchased at the intersection of Gessner and Beechnut on May 21^st, 1962.  On June 30^th, 1963, the congregation selected the name Gethsemane United Church of Christ.  In January 1964 a charter was drafted with forty-nine members.  The first building was dedicated in 1967 and enlarged and renovated in 1977.  In 1990 Gethsemane UCC moved to its present site and burned the note in 2001.  Mission has been an important part of our history including establishing the Sharpstown Bread Pantry, being an organizing partner of Southwest Area Ministries, sponsoring refugee families from Cambodia and Haiti, participating in CROP Hunger Walks, and a stronger supporter of Our Church's Wider Mission fund of the United Church of Christ.  Four pastors have served Gethsemane UCC: Rev. Richard N. Zulauf 1963-1967, Rev. Gilbert F. Bumb 1967-1974, Rev. Barney Federwisch 1974-2001 and Rev. David Pantermuehl 2002-present.