History

In June of 1995, Rev. Burt Palmer was appointed to begin a new United Methodist Church in Allen. By September of that year, three families were gathering to worship at the parsonage. The group grew, and by the end of that year, Sunday morning worship moved to Green Elementary School. Then, on September 22, 1996, Suncreek was officially constituted as a United Methodist Church.

In early 1999, the church began to build on property at Suncreek and McDermott Drives. This involved renovating a home that was on the site and adding additional rooms for a Sanctuary and classes. In September 1999, the church left Green Elementary and began meeting in the new buildings.

Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball was appointed Senior Pastor of Suncreek in June 2001. The following May, the church gathered for a Sunday morning worship service under a large tent to kickoff a capital campaign that would purchase land, renovate the existing building, erect a new building and Sanctuary, and add parking. One year later, the church broke ground on this phase of its development. The new building was completed in April 2004 and consecrated by Bishop William B. Oden on May 23, 2004.

 Consecration Services May 23. 2004

Some of Suncreek's members gathered for a photo after a 10th Anniversary celebration

In September of 2005, Suncreek UMC celebrated the tenth anniversary of when the first three families gathered to start the church.  All clergy who had served the church were present to participate in the celebration events.

The clergy who served Suncreek UMC during the church's first ten years.

Front (left to right)  Rev. Wally Butts, Rev. Linn Zink, Rev. Kathleen 
Baskin-Ball, Rev. Burt Palmer, Rev. Char Cowen, Rev. Holly Gotelli. 
Back (left to right): Rev. Kevin Holland, Rev. Jim Palmer, Rev. Danny Burnette.

In early 2007, Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball was diagnosed with cancer. Despite the challenges of her illness and treatment, she continued to lead, serve and love the congregation until her death on December 2, 2008.

One of Kathleen’s favorite ministerial duties was performing baptisms.  We desire to remember her with the beautiful Garden in our esplanade just south of the breezeway connecting the sanctuary with the children’s area. 

The Reverend Doctor Justin Tull was appointed as Interim Senior Pastor to Suncreek UMC on December 1, 2008.  He had retired from active ministry in June of 2006 after serving churches in the North Texas Conference for 37 years.  Dr. Tull served as Interim Sr. Pastor through May 31, 2009.

Rev. Dr. Thomas O. Palmer was appointed as Senior Pastor in June, 2009 and served until June, 2013. Under his leadership, Suncreek completed the Children's building on the west side of campus and the Kathleen Baskin-Ball baptismal garden on the south side. He now serves as Senior Pastor of Coppell United Methodist Church.

Rev. Dr. Keith Payne Boone was appointed as Senior Pastor in June, 2013 and served until June, 2016. Suncreek's beloved Stryker Park and Pavillion was funded and completed under Pastor Keith's leadership along with Youth Minister, Erick Dahl. He later retired as Senior Pastor of University Park United Methodist Church in Dallas.

Rev. Dr. Barry Hughes was appointed as Senior Pastor in June, 2016. Under his leadership, Suncreek paid off the sanctuary building, refurbished Palmer Hall and completed the Mabry Activities Center without incurring additional debt.