In early 1944, Rev. F. Growcock and Rev. Smith came to McAllen to confirm a survey of a new housing project in the area that had been completed early by Rev. Remart of St.Paul Lutheran Church in McAllen. Both pastors recommended McAllen as a place to start a new Hispanic mission. Vicar Eugene Gruell was assigned to McAllen in 1944. In 1945, Vicar F. Pankow continued the work. Candidate Eugene Gruell returned to MCAllen in 1946 and served as the mission’s first pastor. A Christian day school was opened in 1947 as part of the same ministry. Mrs. Eugene Gruell served as the first teacher. The school served the church well for many years until it was forced to close.Pastor Gruell took a Call to Cuba as a missionary in 1956. That same year Rev. Naumann, of Houston, accepted the call to El Buen Pastor. Under his pastorate the congregation flourished to the point that a new facility was needed. And it moved to its present location in 1967. In 1970 Pastor Naumann took a call to Laredo, Tx. The vacancy was filled by Rev. Leopldo Vigil, and in 1971 Rev. Ernest Garcia of San Antonio accepted the call. Rev. Ernest Garcia served until the fall of 1985.
Rev. E. Gruell returned to serve El Buen Pastor until Auo f 1988, when Rev. Timothy Stahlke was installed as pastor. In March of 1995, Rev. Stahlke left El Buen Pastor. Rev. Terry Strom came to Serve El Buen Pastor in July 16, 1995, until 1997, when he accepted another call. In March 28, 1999 Rev. Roberto Simental was installed as pastor until present.
Over the years, El Buen Pastor has hosted a number of vicars who subsequently have gone into full-time Hispanic ministry.
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El Buen Pastor 
1929 Pecan Blvd McAllen Texas 78501-6730 United States of America 
Phone: (956) 686-6673 
