Howe History Minute: First Christian Church

From "90s...Then and Now; A Historical Cookbook", 1991

The First Christian Church of Howe, Texas was founded by early Texans including George Miller, J A Hughes, Henry Stevens, and others Church services were first held in homes of members Sunday School was held in the first school room of the town in 1872

Charter members of the church were Dr J O Matthews, WT Copeland, Si Collins, C E Wheat, J A Hughes, L M Davis, J C McBee, Jim McCoy, John Griff, and their families, and others whose names are not known

The church was erected in 1893, and remained in the same location during all of its years of existence The lot was purchased from J T and Minnie B Simpson for $350, and a church building was erected soon after the land was bought The ground was leveled by Tas Gee, and the building constructed by Charlie Hanna, J W Bearden, John Grigg, and his son, Frank I Griff, carpenters The annex to the church was added in 1925, and in later years a parsonage was purchased

The pulpit was given to the church by Governor of Texas, Charles A Culberson, who was a friend fo J A Hughes, one of the church members

The church secretary, Mr Will McCoy, kept the church records and history in his business office, and they were destroyed when the building in which office was located burned.

Pastors who served the church during its long years of existence included: WA Smith, J E McDonald, A N Julien, Leroy Anderson, Homer Strong, F.B. Young, Rev. Minor, Leo Johnson Rev Stanifer William Vivrett Lloyd

Pickering, Alex Monty, Gilbert Davis, Jr, Don Downing, Don White, Leon England, Don Rysinger, James E Smith, Rev Speece, Rev Burch, Bruce Weatherly, Tom Haley, Stewart Wood, David Breeding, and Franz Alford

The church members were challenged to win people for Christ and to practice Christianity in the community The membership was dedicated the cause of Christian Unity, and encouraged to work to that end At every opportunity, the members witnessed to others, through word and action, the Transforming of Power of Christ in the life of all who would trust and have faith in God

During the church’s many ears of existence, numerous revivals were held in the churchyard beneath some beautiful silver maple trees

The church celebrated its 75th anniversary before the church closed in 1982 because of a decline in membership Even though the church no longer exists, many former members will continue to have lasting memories of pleasant associations with fellow members, their families, and relatives in this small town congregation

(The above information was submitted by Hazel Bearden Rutherford and Bertha Lee Grigg McCuan, both former Sunday School and Church Members, and descendants of some of the first members of the First Christian Church, Howe, Texas This article is also enclosed in the capsule that is buried on the Court House lawn in Sherman The Christian Church building was donated to the City of Howe and is currently in renovation to become an exquisite gathering place called “Summit http://howeenterprise.com/events/