The congregation formed during the Civil Rights era to be a “visible witness” in the community, campaign for justice and love, and challenge oppressive structures. The avant-garde church was constructed in 1962 with a design by James Pratt, Harold Box, and Philip Henderson that captured the organic nature of the liturgy through biomorphic forms. The building references Le Corbusier’s Notre Dame du Haut Chapel (1955) in France and is an early example of a church in the American South questioning traditional ecclesiastical forms. The architects employed innovative facade technology by spraying a combination of Portland cement and fiberglass over concrete blocks laid without mortar, further differentiating this building from the surrounding postwar architecture of the Dallas suburbs.

St. Stephen UMC actively engages “its surrounding community in an effort to promote the general welfare of its peoples,” according to the congregation. Outreach programs over the past 60 years have focused on economic, racial, social, political, and physical well-being. The church invites the community to conversations on dismantling racism, mental health, suicide prevention, and affordable housing, and to social events such as family movie nights in the courtyard. During the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Stephen UMC has hosted over 30 blood drives in the sanctuary, providing life-giving aid to 2,700 people.

A $100,000 National Fund grant with $294,341 in matching funds raised by the congregation supported an HVAC and roof replacement project. The sanctuary HVAC system was replaced with a modern split system, composed of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, with the lines buried to preserve the building’s aesthetic and architectural integrity. In addition, the entire building received a new roof, addressing persistent water infiltration issues and protecting the historic structure from further damage.  This project has greatly improved the building’s functionality, appearance, and long-term sustainability.