Riviera United Methodist Church celebrates its 100th birthday Sunday, March 28. The Riviera United Methodist Church will hold a special centennial celebration on Sunday, March 28 in Riviera.

A dual two-hour Palm Sunday and centennial service will be celebrated beginning at 10 a.m. lasting until noon.

Bishop Jim Dorff of San Antonio and members of the Christ United Methodist Church in Kingsville will be special guests at the service.

The choir from the Christ United Methodist Church, as well as Mariachi Soul Tejano, will be performing at the service. After the service, a luncheon will be held at the Riviera Kaufer High School cafeteria, free to the public.

Linda’s Main Street Cafe will provide the catering and preparations for the event, which is featuring King Ranch Casserole.

During the luncheon, a silent auction will be held which will include many items, such as memorabilia and quilts for purchase.

Commemorative centennial mugs and T-shirts will also be sold.

Currently with 15 regular members, the Riviera United Methodist Church was organized on March 27, 1910 with a membership of 32 citizens.

C.W. Perkins preached the first sermon and he officiated as minister for about two years; Cindy Layton currently serves as pastor.

The RUMC organized three years after the township of Riviera was established.

Two lots on which to build a church house were deeded to the Trustee of the RUMC by Theodore Koch in 1912.

It was originally named Riviera Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

The fellowship met in a one-room schoolhouse until the church building was completed in 1912.

The congregation served a vegetable and citrus farming area that spread over 18,800 acres.

Despite hurricanes and drought, which have caused the town to decline, the church, which continues to occupy its 1912 sanctuary, still remains a part of the community.

The RUMC currently offers a free health clinic every Friday morning at 9 a.m., which is overseen by nurses Linda Dunn and Doris Barry.

The people of Atascocita United Methodist Church from Humble, Texas provided the clinic in 2007, which offers prescription services, blood pressure/blood sugar screenings, and more.

In honor of the centennial, a youth group from Austin created a prayer labyrinth on the church grounds in August 2009, which allows a person to facilitate prayer, meditation, and/or spiritual transformation.

The public is invited to view the church and attend all programs for the centennial celebration. For more information contact (361) 296-3789.