THE COWBOY CHURCH

The stories of the Wild West are intriguing to all age groups, some are fact while others

The stories of the Wild West are intriguing to all age groups, some are fact while others

The stories of the Wild West are intriguing to all age groups, some are fact while others clearly fictional or at the very least we hope some of that stuff is not true. One of the clearly fictional or at the very least we hope some of that stuff is not true. One of the clearly fictional or at the very least we hope some of that stuff is not true. One of the interesting stories from that period of American history is the story behind the Church. interesting stories from that period of American history is the story behind the Church. interesting stories from that period of American history is the story behind the Church. Religion was an important part of the life of frontier towns in the early days of the Old Religion was an important part of the life of frontier towns in the early days of the Old Religion was an important part of the life of frontier towns in the early days of the Old West. The Gold Rush brought the tent style meetings to life as the tents were a place to live West. The Gold Rush brought the tent style meetings to life as the tents were a place to live West. The Gold Rush brought the tent style meetings to life as the tents were a place to live for the people in that quest to conquer the unknown western United States. The towns often for the people in that quest to conquer the unknown western United States. The towns often for the people in that quest to conquer the unknown western United States. The towns often depicted in the movies have the dirt roads with wooden structures like the saloon, depicted in the movies have the dirt roads with wooden structures like the saloon, depicted in the movies have the dirt roads with wooden structures like the saloon, mercantile, and jail. Occasionally, there would be a church structure at the end of the road. mercantile, and jail. Occasionally, there would be a church structure at the end of the road. mercantile, and jail. Occasionally, there would be a church structure at the end of the road.

In truth, the church structures were very rare in the days of the wild west and the “church”

In truth, the church structures were very rare in the days of the wild west and the “church”

In truth, the church structures were very rare in the days of the wild west and the “church” or preachers had to find a way to get the attention of the frontiersmen, the cowboys. No or preachers had to find a way to get the attention of the frontiersmen, the cowboys. No or preachers had to find a way to get the attention of the frontiersmen, the cowboys. No better place than the most frequented part of town…the Saloon. It was the most logical spot better place than the most frequented part of town…the Saloon. It was the most logical spot better place than the most frequented part of town…the Saloon. It was the most logical spot equipped with seating and music. The frontier preachers would come into town, schedule equipped with seating and music. The frontier preachers would come into town, schedule equipped with seating and music. The frontier preachers would come into town, schedule with the saloon to hold service and even get the piano player to switch from the drinking with the saloon to hold service and even get the piano player to switch from the drinking with the saloon to hold service and even get the piano player to switch from the drinking tunes to the hymns. Those preachers used what was available to attract and welcome the tunes to the hymns. Those preachers used what was available to attract and welcome the tunes to the hymns. Those preachers used what was available to attract and welcome the ones who needed the message of faith most. It was by all definitions the beginning of the ones who needed the message of faith most. It was by all definitions the beginning of the ones who needed the message of faith most. It was by all definitions the beginning of the Cowboy Church…don’t debate just yet, stay with me a few more paragraphs to see how this Cowboy Church…don’t debate just yet, stay with me a few more paragraphs to see how this Cowboy Church…don’t debate just yet, stay with me a few more paragraphs to see how this thought came to life. thought came to life. thought came to life.

Some say the origin of the first cowboy church traces back to Glenn Smith from Virginia in Some say the origin of the first cowboy church traces back to Glenn Smith from Virginia in Some say the origin of the first cowboy church traces back to Glenn Smith from Virginia in 1972. A professional rodeo clown, Smith abandoned his career and devoted himself to 1972. A professional rodeo clown, Smith abandoned his career and devoted himself to 1972. A professional rodeo clown, Smith abandoned his career and devoted himself to spreading the word of God. He began ministering to people on the bull riding and rodeo spreading the word of God. He began ministering to people on the bull riding and rodeo spreading the word of God. He began ministering to people on the bull riding and rodeo circuits, using traditional western activities as a way to spread his Christian belief. circuits, using traditional western activities as a way to spread his Christian belief. circuits, using traditional western activities as a way to spread his Christian belief.

Texas claims the concept of cowboy churches originated in the Lonestar State with a 1940s radio program called Cowboy Church in the Air. Texas Monthly points to the rise of evangelical Christianity, which swept through the cowboy circuit as men began holding prayer meetings in rodeo arenas on Sunday mornings. The first true stationary cowboy church is reported to be Billy Bob’s in Texas, which identifies itself as the “World’s Largest Honky Tonk.” Jeff Copenhaver preached at the 1985 National Finals Rodeo in Vegas followed by holding regular services in the bar’s Fort Worth rodeo arena.

Which brings us to another concept of cowboy churches that sprung up in Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville Cowboy Church, founded in 1990 by Dr. Harry Yates and Joanne Cash Yates (sister of Johnny Cash) brought notoriety to the cowboy church, launching increased popularity around the country. How the Yates got it going brings this all full circle…as the story goes, they needed a place to host their Sunday services welcoming the “Cowboy” that enjoyed good music, fellowship and a faith experience. They located a hotel with a bar that was not used on Sunday, the negotiations included Dr. Yates promising to increase the hotel’s restaurant revenue for Sundays. You see, Yates had a “ace in the hole” as the hotel hosted a buffet on Sunday and his brother in law aka the Man in Black was a guaranteed attendee for every service. So, church in a saloon came out of the wild west and into the home of country music.

While no one knows how many cowboy churches there are, when they started or where they truly originated, it is the desire to reach people who otherwise would not be reached that unites them to a unique faith culture. Known for their informal attire, cowboy churches invite congregants to come as they are. The music genre for the worship is typically country, and sermons are Bible-based, mostly non-denominational.

All in all, it takes you all the way back to the Wild Wild West, the cowboys and townspeople coming through the swinging doors of the saloon to hear the word of God from the traveling preacher as the saloon piano player bangs out a spiritually enlightened hymn. Even for those towns blessed with that church structure at the end of the main drag, I bet they didn’t turn away the dirty cowboy coming through the doors to experience faith, love and hope. It was the Wild West, uncharted territories and a revival that swept those dirt road towns.

You can agree or debate the foundation or mission of the Cowboy Church but you cannot deny it is and will always be the, come as you are and with whatever burden you carry because the doors will always swing to open for those who need faith, hope, love, and Jesus! Not to mention that good Christian Country Music.