Puerto Rico

Iglesia Metodista de Puerto Rico (Methodist Church of Puerto Rico)

The Iglesia Metodista de Puerto Rico (IMPR) is a vibrant, socially engaged church with a strong commitment to justice, spiritual formation, and community renewal.

The church lives out its calling as “witnesses marking the way.”

Its current priorities include expanding evangelism through local initiatives, strengthening theological education via the Centro de Estudios Teológicos Domingo Marrero Navarro, and deepening lay leadership.

The church is also active in disaster response and social outreach through its Rehace ministry, which supports communities affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, and economic hardship.

IMPR promotes inclusive worship, cultural expression, and ecumenical collaboration, while maintaining financial health.

The Iglesia Metodista de Puerto Rico (IMPR) began in 1900, when Rev. Charles W. Dress held the first Methodist service in Old San Juan.

This marked the start of a mission led by the United Methodist Church, part of a broader Protestant effort following the U.S. occupation of Puerto Rico.

Early growth was rapid: by 1905, there were 91 organized churches, 86 native preachers, and over 7,800 members taking communion. The church expanded through education, social outreach, and a strong emphasis on holiness and community service.

Over the decades, the church developed a strong local identity, shaped by Puerto Rican culture and the island’s social realities.

In 1992, the IMPR became an autonomous denomination, affirming its commitment to contextual mission and self-governance.

Since then, it has expanded its outreach through theological education, disaster response, and ecumenical partnerships.