FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF McKINNEY
Daily Courier-Gazette, August 12, 1897
LAYING CORNER STONE
IMPOSING CEREMONIES IN HONOR OF
McKINNEY'S NEW RELIGIOUS EDIFICE.
The Order of The Big Parade.
The Civic Organization That
Participated-An Address by Judge Tom Brown-A Very Enjoyable Time.
McKinney Tex., Aug. 5-The
cornerstone of the First Christian church was laid here to-day with imposing
ceremonies.
All
churches participated.
Promptly at 10
o'clock a. m., at tap of the city bell, a precession of Sunday school children
started from the Baptist church on South Tennessee street. The following
churches were represented and marched each under charge of its superintendent,
in the order named: Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Cumberland Presbyterian,
Episcopal and Christian, preceded by the city brass band and followed by the
ladies of the Order of the Eastern Star. To the uninitiated it will be necessary
to say that each of "the five points" was represented by appropriate colors,
thus: The white ray by a carriage draped in white and five lady occupants also
in white. The other rays, red, yellow, blue and green, were represented, while
the carriage for the officers and its occupants were decorated in purple white
and gold. As soon as the rear of the procession reached the southeast corner of
the square the Masonic body was ready to fall in, having previously marched from
their lodge room forming on East Louisiana street, and observed the following
order: 1. Master Masons; 2. R. A. Masons; 3. Knights Templar; 4. Grand lodge
officers, after which the fire department joined in, consisting of five trucks
tastefully trimmed in the colors of the Order of the Eastern Star, out of
compliment to the ladies of that order. The fire boys, to the number of about
fifty, made a very imposing appearance. They are all volunteers and the very
best young men of the town. Their banding together for the purpose of protecting
the homes and property of their neighbors argues energy and courage.
A large number of
citizens in their carriages swelled the procession into the largest ever seen in
this city. The Houston and Texas Central railway and the Sherman, Shreveport and
Southern railway ran special trains, and brought large Masonic delegations,
while the rich and populous country round about poured in to do honor to the
occasion.
When the head of the
procession reached the building after parading the square and principal streets
it opened ranks and thus the grand officers and official ladies reached the
platform where the cornerstone was laid in due and ancient form by the following
representatives of the grand lodge of Texas: E. H. Bowlby, G. M.; John Church,
D. G. M.; H. E. Smith, S. G. W.; John D. Page, J. G. W.; W. B. Newsome, G. T.;
R. F. Dowell, G. S.; S. K. Hallam, G. C.; W. M. Abernathy, G. M.; John W.
Hamilton, P. A.; and C. H. Wysong, G. J.
Judge W. K. Homan of
Dallas, orator of the day, delivered a short address, congratulating the people
on the intense interest manifested on the occasion of laying the cornerstone of
a temple dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, dwelling on the importance of
laying a proper foundation and discussing the underlying principles and the
wonderful growth of the organization for which the building was being erected.
At the conclusion a
representative of each point of the (Eastern) Star laid a bouquet of
corresponding color upon the stone, repeating the words: "Peace be to this
house," and Elder Hallam closed the proceedings with an appropriate prayer.
Articles Deposited
in Cornerstone.
Among the deposits
were: A roll of the officers and members of the church, engrossed on parchment,
numbering 306; a similar roll of the membership of St. John's lodge No. 51,
being 111 members; a list of the contributors to the structure; lists of Sunday
schools and Christian Endeavor societies; copies of the Christian Courier of
Dallas, and other church papers; copies of the county papers and of The Dallas
Morning News of this date; a copy of the Holy Scriptures donated by St. John's
Lodge, and a copy of the New Testament, which belonged to little Edwin Newsome,
recently deceased, between the folds of which was the contribution for mission
purposes which the little fellow had intended to give on the Sunday when he was
stricken down. There was also deposited a photograph of the old building and
history of the Christian church at McKinney since its organization in 1848, till
the present time reads as follows:
Church organized
April 1, 1848.
The congregation was
organized April 1, 1848, by Elder J. B. Wilmeth, for many years county and
district clerk of Collin county. The meeting at which the church was organized
was probably held in a new barn. The meetings were afterwards held in the court
house, and later in a schoolhouse under the Masonic hall, on the lot now
occupied by the residence of Jesse Shain.
First Church House
Erected in 1859.
During this period
the congregation was ministered to by J. B. Wilmeth, Dr. Cartwright, J. Gough
Jones and B. F. Hall, with some regularity. In 1859 the first house of worship
was erected on the lot now occupied by the pastor's cottage. In 1878 this
building was torn down and repaired, and it having been injured in a cyclone,
was again remodeled in 1879. In this house the congregation had continued to
worship to the present time.
From 1858 to 1876
the pulpit was supplied by, B. F. Hall, James T. Muse, T. W. Caskey, C. M.
Wilmeth, R. C. Horn, and perhaps others.
Occasional sermons
were preached by many of the pioneer preachers of Texas, among whom are still
remembered Brothers Clark and Polly.
Since 1877 the
church has been continuously served by the following pastors for the time
indicated: Kirk Baxter 77,78; Elder Skiles 79, 80; J. B. Faulkner 81, 82, 83; C.
W. Sewell 84, 85, 86; J. P. Pinkerton 87, 88, 89; D. W. Pritchett 90, 91, 92: A.
P. Terrell 93, 94; S. W. Crutcher 95, 96; and the present incumbent since Jan.
1, 1897.
Great Gen. Gano
Meeting in 1872.
In 1872 a notable
meeting was conducted by Gen. R. M. Gano of Dallas, during which there were more
than fifty conversions, among them Brother R. C. (Cope) White, one of the present
elders. Meetings have been held at various times by Addison and Randolph Clark,
J. M. Tennison, J. J. Lockhart, B. B. Saunders and Frank Talmage. It was in Bro.
Lockhart's meeting, during the pastorate of D. W. Pritchett, that I. D. Newsome,
whose liberality with that of his sons has made the building possible, was added
to the church. His two sons had been members of the church several years before.
Newsomes Build
Church.
Immediately upon entering on his work the present pastor began agitating the
question of a new house of worship in keeping with the wealth and influence of
the congregation and the needs of the Master's work. Frequent conferences were
held with influential brethren on the subject. During a meeting held by the
pastor in March, 1897, the house was not large enough on several occasions to
accommodate the audience. I. D. Newsome and sons, after carefully considering
the matter, proposed to build for the church a house of worship to cost about
$14,000 on the condition that the congregation would raise a sufficient amount
to lift the incumbrance on lot, remodel the dwelling house thereon for the
pastor's residence, and to furnish the house when completed, furniture to
include a pipe organ and furnaces for heating. The proposition was accepted and
a committee consisting of J. L. White, Plummer Harris and the pastor was
appointed to raise the necessary funds. On the second Lord's day in April $7000
had been pledged, and it was announced that the building would be erected. The
subscription has since been increased to $8000, including the proceeds of the
sale of the old parsonage. The building and furniture alone will cost about
$20,000. The entire property of the church is estimated to be worth $25,000. A
list of the contributors with the amounts given is placed in the corner stone.
J. L. White headed it with $750, D. C. Hill and L. H. Graves each gave $500,
while Jesse Shain gave $1000 to be applied toward the purchase of the organ. But
others with equal liberality in proportion to their means gave as a free will of
offering to the Lord. Those who have made the larger offerings as well as the
brethren who have built the church feel that their brethren and sisters who have
given so freely out of their poverty have done more than they. So that the
humblest disciple that has done what he could is an equal partner with them in
this noble work. The roll of officers and members, engrossed on parchment and
placed in the corner stone, shows the membership to be 306 on Aug. 5, 1897.
Profoundly grateful
to God, who has permitted us to celebrate the fiftieth year of our history as a
church by erecting this magnificent building for his worship, we pray him that
the coming years may be equally blessed in building of the spiritual edifice. To
him be glory and honor throughout the age of ages. Amen!
Speech by Judge T.
J. Brown.
The citizens of
McKinney invited all present to a picnic dinner at the city park, where an
address of welcome was delivered by Hon. J. M. Pearson, the mayor, and Judge T.
J. Brown of the supreme court (of Texas) then delighted the people with a talk
on old times, detailing many of the stirring reminiscences of early pioneer
life.
The business men
without exception closed their doors from 10 o'clock to 2 in order to
participate, and every detail was carried out in the most happy manner. The
munificent donation of the church building by I. D. Newsome and his two sons,
the liberality of the church members and outsiders in contributing to the
furnishing, heating and organ the spirit of good will and brotherly feeling
manifested, all conspired to made the occasion one to be long and gratefully
remembered by the citizens of McKinney.
***
Corner Stone Notes.
The extreme heat
compelled a great many to seek their home for relief.
Little Miss Goldie
Warden, sponsor of Hook and Ladder Co. No. 2, was the recipient of much
attention during the parade.
His excellency Mayor
J. M. Pearson and Hon. Tom Perkins formed a team of robust and respectable
appearance which graced the parade.
The ceremonies of
this occasion, under the auspices of St. John's Lodge, were the first corner
stone laying, according to Masonic ceremony, ever performed in Collin county.
Quite a delegation
from Tennehill Lodge, of Dallas, were present and took part in the corner stone
laying exercised. They remained over night and attended the meeting of St.
John's lodge.
Every one of the
twelve lodges in the county, as well as representatives from various other North
Texas lodges, were in the line of march. By common assent, this was the most
notable event in Masonry in the history of Collin county.
Several old Masons
present testified to the practical value of Masonry which none deny. Instances
in their long careers were heard cited where life and property were rescued from
the destroyer by the mysterious wand of this hoary order of antiquity.
A new epoch has
evidently dawned upon the congregation that will worship in this new temple of
God. Such a spirit seemed prevalent on this occasion in every breast, and the
sentiment almost realized.
Hope shall change to
glad fruition;
Faith to sight, and
prayer to praise.
The ladies are very
grateful to the fire boys for decorating in Eastern Star colors out of respect
for the order. The boys cannot be discounted for gallantry to the ladies,
loyalty to the city and general efficiency for unpaid firefighters.
Three marshals were
in charge of the procession. Prof. J. B. Dodson was marshal in charge of the
Sunday School children: A. B. Carroll, W. P., was in charge of ladies of the
Eastern Star and Hon. W .M. Abernathy grand marshal of the day.
In the announcement
of deposits it was said that a copy of the first and last issues of The McKinney
DEMOCRAT would be deposited. This was a slight error. It was a copy of the last
issue and a copy of our illustrated edition issued in 1891 containing a synopsis
of the county's history and other valuable information.
I. D. Newsome, the
pioneer McKinney merchant, spread the mortar for the laying of the corner stone.
It was fitting that Mr. Newsome perform this act, as the beautiful new edifice,
when completed, will stand a material monument to the generosity of himself and
two worthy sons, W. B. and E. A. Newsome.
The large number of
veteran Masons in line of march was a cause of remark on every side. Several
were in the procession whose entrance into the mysteries of the order dates back
more than half a century. Among the oldest might be mentioned Col. Jot Woodall,
Esq. W. R. H. Mack, Dr. Gale, J. H. Jenkins, C. H. Wysong and C. J. Aston, of
Farmersville.
When the procession
was waiting at the Baptist church for orders to move a quaint old couple from
the rurals came along the Dallas road on their way into town. Not being aware of
the important event to come off in McKinney that day they were naturally
surprised when they came in view of the long, gorgeous column lined up ready to
march. The fire engine being in the rear attracted their attention first.
Critically scanning the engine, the old fellow remarked to his spouse "that 'ar
must be a music box." "Y-a-s," replied the old lady, "an' it's a powerful fine
on' too." "You bet," came the ready assent and then they scrutinized the next in
line which they pronounced "mity purty hen roosts." These were Hook and Ladder
Wagons Nos. 1 and 2 so beautifully decorated in the Eastern Star colors. But the
energetic fire boys are not to be blamed for feeling a little ruffled at these
cruel, those innocent remarks. For 48 hours they worked faithfully in rubbing up
the engine and tastefully arranging buntings and decorations, after which, then
to have their engine dubbed a "music box" and their wagons "purty hen
roosts"-well, it was provoking.
The Eastern Stars
were the central feature of the parade, though the whole was very creditable to
Masons and others participating. The ladies of the order were borne in six
carriages tastefully decorated in colors harmonizing with the costumes of their
respective occupants. Four white horses drew the first carriage which was
decorated in royal purple and white, and contained the following officers:
Worthy Matron, Mrs. W. B. Newsome; Worthy Patron A. B. Carroll (the only
gentleman occupant of any of the carriages); Past Worthy Matron, Mrs. Dr. T. W.
Wiley; Past Worthy Matron, Mrs. J. L. Lovejoy. Second carriage, blue
decorations, Misses Judith English, Lizzie Crouch, Kate Page, Mrs. Howell E.
Smith, Mrs. W. E. Marshall. Third carriage, yellow decorations, Misses Mame
Page, Joe B. Davis, Fannie Bagley, Nettie Barnes and Mrs. D. T. Pardue. Fourth
carriage, white decorations, Miss Dora Barnes, Mesdames W. M. Abernathy, W. D.
Davis, T. J. Melton, and Mrs. Dr. J. E. Gibson. Fifth carriage, green
decorations, Misses Pearl Nelson, Fannie Abernathy, Mattie Dowell, Emma Walden,
and Mrs. John Johnson, Jr. Sixth carriage, red decorations, Misses Ella B.
Newsome, Bessie Nelson, Ollie Plemmons, Allie Dowell and Mrs. Dr. J. C. N.
Smith. The effect produced by the charming ladies and beautiful decorated horses
and carriages in the parade were truly a feast for the eye and cultured taste
seldom enjoyed by the people of any town, and speke volumes for the energy of A.
B. Carroll and Mrs. W.. B. Newsome, under whose direction success crowned every
detail of the affair and double met the most sanguine expectation.
Historical marker, 1978.
FIRST
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
OF
McKINNEY
THIS
CONGREGATION WAS FORMED ON APRIL 1, 1848, WHEN
ABOUT 20
PERSONS GATHERED TO WORSHIP AT THE HOME
OF NANCY AND
JOSEPH BRYSON WILMETH (1807-1892). AFTER A
PICNIC LUNCH,
THE GROUP JOURNEYED ABOUT TWO MILES
SOUTH OF THE
WILMETH CABIN TO THE NEW COUNTY SEAT
OF McKINNEY.
DESIRING THAT THE FIRST INSTITUTION IN THE
TOWN BE A
RELIGIOUS BODY, THEY MET AT THE PRESENT
SITE OF THE
COURTHOUSE SQUARE AND FORMALLY ORGANIZED
THE FIRST
CHRISTIAN CHURCH. MEMBERS WORSHIPED FIRST
IN AN
UNFINISHED BARN AND LATER IN COLLIN COUNTY'S LOG
COURTHOUSE.
LAY PREACHERS WHO CONDUCTED SERVICES
INCLUDED
WILMETH AND JAMES SANFORD MUSE (1804-1878),
BOTH OF WHOM
HAD STUDIED UNDER ALEXANDER CAMPBELL,
ONE OF THE
FOUNDERS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
MEMBERS OF
THIS CONGREGATION ERECTED THEIR FIRST
CHURCH
BUILDING IN 1858 AND SHRED THE SMALL FRAME
STRUCTURE WITH
OTHER DENOMINATIONS. IN THE TRADITION
OF THE DAY,
MEN SAT ON ONE SIDE OF THE SANCTUARY AND
WOMEN ON THE
OTHER.
DESPITE THE
HARDSHIPS OF FRONTIER LIFE AND THE CHAOS
OF THE CIVIL
WAR, THIS FELLOWSHIP GREW AND FLOURISHED.
IN 1872 THE
REV. R. C. HORN BECAME THE FIRST FULL-TIME
PASTOR.
MEMBERS ERECTED THEIR SECOND CHURCH BUILDING
IN1897 AND IN
1970 DEDICATED THE PRESENT FACILITY.
RELAY
CORNER STONE OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH HERE THURSDAY
Daily Courier
Gazette, November 23, 1923
Dr.
Clifford B. Weaver, who is serving his third year as pastor of the First
Christian Church of this city, kindly prepared at our request the following
statement of the informal exercises attending the replacement of the box in the
corner stone of that church edifice which at present is undergoing extensive
repairs. Robt. H. Brown of McKinney is contractor. The improvements when
completed will cost about $15,000. This large, brick church, when these repairs
are made, will be one of the most commodious and handsome structures of our city
or county:
***
Informal But Impressive Service.
With very simple, brief, and yet
beautifully appropriate ceremony the original corner stone of the First
Christian Church and its unopened box were again sealed Thursday afternoon, Nov.
22, 1923, at four-thirty o’clock in the presence of those gathered in the street
and on the steps at the south side of the church auditorium, which is now
undergoing repairs.
It was exactly 26 years, 3 months and 17 days since the box and its contents had
been placed in the stone and the mortar spread by I. D. Newsome, Sr., father of
E. A. and W. B. Newsome, all of whom, except the last named, have passed away.
The ceremony on August 5, 1897, was a most elaborate affair. It was not planned
that Friday’s program should be any other than the most simple, but it was felt
that some recognition should be given the new task which is now under way. On
this occasion the gathered assembly united in singing one verse of “My Faith
Looks up to Thee,” and then Walter B. Wilson, who has faithfully kept a fine
history of McKinney through the years by means of clippings preserved in scrap
book form, was present and read a few excerpts from the description of the
original day twenty-six years ago. In this were detailed a full list of the
contents of the original box, which had been kept by Sam J. Massie and unopened
since the removal of the corner stone to its present position. After Mr.
Wilson’s recital, Mr. Massie, as chairman of the present building committee,
duly again deposited the box in its former resting place after which the workmen
raised over it the heavy cap stone and again it was sealed, perhaps never to be
seen again by any of those present, save possibly the very young children.
In the stone directly west of this and which stone had faced west, another
receptacle had been made and a copper box fitting into the same.
The building committee, composed of Sam J. Massie, J. H. Merritt and Alfred M.
Scott, were asked to receive and deposit the following items from the hands of
the pastor, Clifford S. Weaver:
Contents of New Corner Stone Box.
A copy of the New Testament, Acts of
Apostles, John’s Gospel in Greek, Spanish, Slovak and Japanese; Mark’s Gospel in
French and Chinese and also John 3:16, the “Golden Text” of the Bible in two
hundred sixty nine languages bound in a little booklet announcing as deposit was
made that the Gospel in all of these languages was symbolic of the mission of
the church to the whole world.
Geo. W. Fox is chairman of finances of the present enterprise and Jesse Graves
receives and pays out the money and now a complete list of those who had given
up to this time was placed in the box, also a printed directory showing a
membership of 847 and a list of the Sunday School council presented by Ula A.
Saunders. A copy of the Daily Courier-Gazette of Nov. 21, 1923, which contained
the announcement of this gathering, was furnished for deposit by Walter B.
Wilson and S. O. Scott, in a feeling manner, offered a ten dollar Confederate
bill in memory of S. H. Fox and other pioneers who have gone on, as well as
mentioning R. C. Horn of the old Confederate Veterans who was standing by his
side. A ten thousand German mark bill from Mr. Sol Wiseman. With this Eric. B.
Wilson sealed the box and Joe E. Largent, representing the trustees, deposited
the box in the stone and the workmen covered it over and Elder R. C. Horn led in
a helpful and feeling prayer for God’s blessing and the assembly adjourned just
as the town clock was striking five, with rejoicing and thanksgiving that thus
far the Lord had led them. Many realized as not before that God’s workmen pass
on and away but His work goes forward and so each succeeding generation must
provide stalwart men and true to “carry on.”
Present Church Organization.
The following is a list of the present
Official Board of the First Christian church on the date (Nov. 22, 1923) of the
replacement of the corner stone: Rev. Clifford S. Weaver, pastor. Elders - Dr.
M. S. Metz, F. C. Thompson, C. J. Hunter, R. C. Horn, Wallace Wilson, Jesse G.
Graves, Ernest Wilson, W. H. Franklin.
Deacons - R. L. Jackson, Giles McKinney, Alfred Scott, Ula Saunders, E. W.
Sweeney, Dick Massie, Wm. J. Edwards, Jesse Jarrell, A. J. Martin, L. L.
Elliott, Chas. Nelson, R. L. Moulden, Chas. Graves, S. O. Scott, T. F. Everett,
Joe Barnes, Oscar Goddard, Joe E. Largent, Wick Graves, Jno. W. Thomas, Orlia J.
Moss, D. H. Faulkner, Will F. Horn, Greenberry Adams, Walter H. Bush, Jr., H. L.
Davis, M. H. Woodruff, Jas. H. Merritt, Will F. Bush.
The unexpired term of beloved Plummer Harris was taken and is being ably filled
by Judge R. L. Moulden and the place thus made vacant in the list of deacons was
taken by Paschal Kerby. Dr. M. S. Metz is chairman of the Board and John W.
Thomas is clerk. Dick Faulkner is the treasurer.
***
Sunday School.
Ernest Wilson, Supt., Ula Saunders,
Secretary; Miss Bernice Adams, Associate Secretary.
Intermediate Dept. - Orlia J. Moss, Supt.; Junior - Mrs. Ula Saunders, Supt.;
Primary - Mrs. Geo. James, Supt.;
Beginners - Mrs. O. S. Hines, Supt.; Cradle Roll - Mrs. W. C. Robinson, Supt.
Women’s Missionary Society—Mrs. W. W. McDowell, Pres. Mrs. W. T. Largent,
Vice-Pres.; Mrs. Ben Oates, Treas.; Mrs. H. D. Mouson, Secy.
Elizabeth Ross Missionary Circle — Mrs. W. C. Patterson, Pres.; Mrs. Chas.
Graves, Vice-Pres.; Mrs. Harry White, Secy.; Mrs. G. A. Wilson, Treas.
Ella Jenkins Circle—- Mrs. J. P. Harding, Pres.; Mrs. Harry White, Vice-Pres.;
Mrs. Benge Quisenberry, Treas.
Ladies’ Aid Society — Mrs. F. M. Warden, Pres.; Vice Presidents, Mrs. J. P.
Dowell and Mrs. S. F. Cook; Mrs. S. O. Scott, Treas.
Christian Endeavor Society — Miss Geneva Horn, Pres.; Miss Mildred Joplin,
Vice-Pres.; Miss Lucy Joplin, Secy.; Miss Vesta Rose, Treas.
PIONEER MINISTERS OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, FROM ITS FOUNDING TO PRESENT TIME.
Daily Courier-Gazette, July 18, 1925, p 1.
by Mrs. J. Ollie Smith
Editors
Note: The data for this article was obtained from a scrap book of Walter B.
Wilson and from notes given by Rev. R. C. Horn, who though old in years has the
alert mind of a man many years younger. Rev. Horn related many interesting
stories to the writer of this article of the ministers, with whom he preached
and labored, paving the way for the fellowship the First Christian Church now
enjoys.
During the seventy odd years of the life of the First Christian Church of
McKinney, a few of the members have had the privilege of seeing the growth of
this wonderful congregation from a few faithful members who first met in a shed,
which was erected by Joe Bounds, the father of Mrs. H. M. Garnett, into a small
frame building, which was destroyed by a storm and into a brick structure, which
was dedicated in 1887 on August 12th. This building was given by I. D. Newsome
and sons, W. B. Newsome, now of Dallas, and E. A. Newsome, deceased.
The present beautiful edifice was finished last year being remodeled from the
old building.
From the founding of the church here on April 1, 1848 by Elder J. B. Wilmeth,
for many years county and district clerk, the congregation was ministered to by
J. B. Wilmeth, Dr. Cartwright, J. Gough Jones and B. F. Hall with some
regularity.
From 1858 to 1876 the pulpit was supplied by B. F. Hall, James C. Muse, T. W.
Caskey, C. M. Wilmeth, Rev. R. C. Horn and perhaps others.
Occasional sermons were preached by many of the pioneer preachers of Texas,
among whom were Brothers Randolph Clark, H. N. O. Polly, Charles Carlton,
Addison Clark, J. M. Tennison, J. J. Lockhart, H. B. Saunders, and Frank
Talmadge.
The first regular pastor of the First Church here was Rev. J. B. Wilmot of
Dallas, who would preach two Sundays a month and two Sundays at the First Church
in Dallas. Rev. Wilmot was a good preacher and well liked by the congregation.
He was succeeded by Rev. Kirk Baxter, who also preached half the time here and
half time in Dallas. Kirk Baxter was a man of splendid education, a musician and
poet. He also wrote for newspapers and periodicals. Rev. Baxter was a school
mate and life-long friend of Rev. Noel (Knowles) Shaw, who was killed by a train
on the Wilson Creek Crossing south of town. Rev. Shaw was on his way to McKinney
to hold a meeting in the Christian Church.
Rev. J. F. Skiles was the first full time pastor of the church. He was a young
man of good family, education and made a well liked pastor.
Rev. J. B. Faulkner followed Brother Skiles. Rev. Faulkner was a Kentuckian by
birth. He had the distinction of preaching in every school house in Collin
County and a record of baptizing 5,000 people. He was the father of Mrs. Tom
Perkins of this City and grandfather of the writer of this article.
Bro. C. W. Sewell was pastor for two years and a most popular man. He baptized
numbers of people. He was born in Tennessee and had four brothers, who were also
preachers. They were Cobb Sewell, Texas Sewell, Elijah Sewell and Jesse Sewell.
J. P. Pinkerton was a fine preacher and was born in Kentucky. He was the son of
Dr. Pinkerton, who was a classmate of Alexander Campbell and Rev. Stone. Rev. D.
W. Pritchett was a very intellectual man, a forceful preacher. It was during his
ministry that the plans for the new church were started and Bro. Pritchett
worked untiringly toward this goal. He performed the marriage ceremony of Mr.
and Mrs. Tom W. Perkins.
Rev. A. P. Terrell was pastor of the church for the next two years and was well
liked by the congregation. He was a man of keen intellect. After leaving here he
studied osteopathy, following that profession until his death.
Rev. D. (S.) W. Crutcher, a Kentuckian by birth came to the pastorate here from
Missouri, where he received a fine education. He was pastor for about two years.
S. K. Hallam came to this church from Dallas, and it was during his ministry in
1897 that the new brick church was dedicated. Rev. Hallam now is living in South
Texas.
Rev. J. A. Farris was a very devout and beloved pastor. He dedicated the
Vineland Church by which Bro. R. C. Horn was pastor for a number of years and
which has given us a splendid number of members to the First Church here. Bro.
Farris has a son, Ellsworth Farris, who was a missionary to Africa.
Rev. R. R. Hamlin, one of the most beloved pastors, was a man of splendid
education. He was educated in Johnson Bible College, where so many of our
wonderful preachers of today received their education. Mrs. F. B. Pope of this
city is a daughter of Bro. Hamlin.
Rev. G. L. Bush was a graduate of Transylvania University and was a very
forceful preacher. His father was one of the leading evangelists of the state.
Rev. Bush and family now reside in Carrollton, Missouri, where he has been
pastor of the First Church there for thirteen years.
Rev. J. M. Bell was one of the most efficient and intellectual preachers of his
day. Rev. Bell is in New York state in the reality business.
Rev. Philip King was also a man of education, and will ever be a remembered
factor in the building of the brotherhood.
Rev. W. P. Jennings was a beloved pastor, friend and neighbor. He was a graduate
of the Bible College in Lexington, classmate of E. H. Holmes, son-in-law of Rev.
R. C. Horn. Rev. Jennings is pastor of the First Church in Lubbock, Texas now.
Rev. V. W. Wallace was one of the most powerful preachers the church ever had.
He was a man of wonderful education, keen intellect and well liked. Rev. Wallace
is now engaged in evangelistic work.
This my friends brings us to our present beloved pastor, Rev. C. S. Weaver, who
with his good wife have been with us through sorrow, happiness, good times and
bad times. They are true friends and we can truthfully say, the best parson and
parson’s wife in the world.
McKinney
Churches
Index
- Recommended citation:
- "First Christian Church of McKinney,
Collin County Churches," Collin County, Texas History and Genealogy Webpage
by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13 13:37:28 US/Central 2004 ].
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