A Historical Perspective

The First Disciples Services Held at 115 Main in
Dr. J.R. Throckmorton’s Office

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1870 – first Houston Disciples worship service in Dr. Throckmorton’s office
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1885 – first Disciple Minister Called
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1890 – land purchased for first church

First Permanent Church Building
Located at Intersection of Capitol and Caroline

Name Changed to First Christian in April, 1916
Located at Southeast Corner of Main and Bell

South End Christian Church
Dedicated in May, 1915
Located on SE Corner of Brazos and McGowen

Dedicated November 14, 1920
Located at Main, Travis, Isabella and W. Main

1915 -- Dr. W.S. Lockhart
1918 -- Dr. E.A. Ewell
1921 -- Dr. William D. Ryan
1929 -- Dr. W.S. Lockhart
1931 -- Dr. Charles B. Mohle
1936 -- Dr. J. Kinney O’Heeron
1939 -- Dr. Carter E. Boren
1942 -- Dr. E.R. McWilliams
1945 -- Dr. Elmer D. Henson

Bethany Christian – 1947
3223 Westheimer Road
Dr. Throckmorton’s Offices – 1870
115 Main St
Central Christian -- 1890
Capitol & Caroline
First Christian – 1916
Main St & Bell St
South End – 1915
Brazos St & McGowen St
South End – 1920
Main/Isabella/Travis/W Main

Dr. Henson at Groundbreaking Ceremony for
Bethany Christian Church - March 31, 1946

First Worship Service – October 19, 1947
Church Dedication – February 8, 1948

Dr. Elmer D. Henson
1945 - 1955
Dr. Lewis McAdow
1955 - 1974
Dr. Earl Bissex
1964 – 1971
Dr. J. Daniel Joyce
1974 - 1980
Rev. Joe Lacy
1980 - 1995
Rev. Roy Tomlinson
Interim 1996
Rev. Tommy Thompson
1996 – 2002
Rev. Mike Weinman
Intentional Interim - 2002
Rev. Brad Stagg
2002 – Present

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1953 – 56
1956 – 57
1958 – 60
1960 – 64
Rev. Sam F. Smith
Rev. Myron McKittrick
Rev. Roy M. Turner
Rev. James W. Lambert
1971 – ** Dr. William E. Dorman
1976 – 78** Rev. Steve Church
1980 – **
1982 – 84
1985 – 87
1987 - 88
1996 - 2002
Rev. Jerry Kirkpatrick
Rev. Timothy C. Diebel
Rev. John H. Sperling
Rev. Thomas L. Lee
Rev. Brad Stagg
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2006 - Present Rev. Hershel Moore, Senior Associate
** Still confirming dates

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Kay Fischer
Tony Carroll
Bryon Jennings
Robert Hammitt
Tom Crow

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Rev. Dan Morgan
Rev. Roy Tomlinson
Rev. Howard E. Grant Jr.
Mrs. Danny Owen (Sandra Drago)
Mrs. Tracey Hopper (Dorothy Tomlinson)
Rev. Jerry Arthur Beck
Mr. Milton Grasty
Rev. Emily Suzanne Demme
Rev. Robert Scott Arnold

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1947 – Church Opens
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1955 – West Transept, Children's
Building and Gym Added
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1958 – East Transept added and parking lot expanded
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1965 – Offices expanded, additional class rooms, parlor added
Parking Lot

1890
Early 1900’s
1908
1915
1916
1930
1935
1938
1947
1947
1948
1950
1953
1952
1967
Central Christian Church
Second Christian Church
Heights Christian Church
South End Christian Church
Magnolia Avenue Christian Church
Grove Street Christian Church
Woodland Christian Church
Broadmoor Christian Church
Park Side Christian Church (Galena Park)
Bethany Christian Church (formerly South End)
Central Christian Church (Pasadena)
Oaks Christian Church
Fellowship Christian Church
Bellaire Christian Church
Memorial Drive Christian Church

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Like most Christians, Disciples Affirm:
Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God,
All persons are God's children
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Beliefs and practices usually associated with Disciples include:
Open Communion. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion is celebrated in weekly worship. It is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Freedom of belief. Disciples are called together around one essential of faith: belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Persons are free to follow their consciences guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit study and prayer, and are expected to extend that freedom to others.
Baptism by immersion. In baptism the old self-centered life is set aside, and a new life of trust in God begins. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion, other baptism traditions are honored.
Belief in the oneness of the church. All Christians are called to be one in Christ and to seek opportunities for common witness and service.
The ministry of believers. Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship, service and spiritual growth.

Universities and Colleges
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Barton College – in Wilson, North Carolina
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Bethany College – in Bethany, West Virginia
Chapman University – in Orange, California
Columbia College – in Columbia, Missouri
Culver-Stockton College – in Canton, Missouri
Drury University – in Springfield, Missouri
Eureka College – in Eureka, Illinois
Hiram College – in Hiram, Ohio
Jarvis Christian College – in Hawkins, Texas
Lynchburg College – in Lynchburg, Virginia
Midway College – in Midway, Kentucky
Northwest Christian College – in Eugene, Oregon
Texas Christian University – in Fort Worth, Texas
Transylvania University – in Lexington, Kentucky
William Woods University – in Fulton, Missouri
Seminaries
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Brite Divinity School – in Fort Worth, Texas
Christian Theological Seminary – in Indianapolis, Indiana
Lexington Theological Seminary – in Lexington, Kentucky
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Phillips Theological Seminary – in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Seminario Evangelico de Puerto Rico - in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Janis Joplin
Singer, Port Arthur Native
Ross S. Sterling
Founding Member of South End
Governor of Texas
W.H. “Boss” Hoover
Founder of The Hoover Co
Ordained Minister
James A. Garfiield
20 th U.S. President
Ordained Disciple Minister
Jim Jones
Leader of the Peoples Temple
In Jonestown, Guyana
Ordained Disciples Minister
Fellowship under review at time of Jonestown tradgegy
40
Ronald Reagan th U.S. President
Grew Up DOC
Attended Eureka College
Colonel Harland Sanders
Founder, Kentucky Fried Chicken
John Stamos
Actor
Frances McDormand
Oscar-Winning Actress; Fargo, 1996
James Clark McReynolds
U.S. Supreme Court Justice
1914 - 1941
Lyndon Baines Johnson
37 th U.S. President
Attended National City
Christian Church