First Christian Church

Pastors: Roland Hill, Jerry Frankhauser 1962, 2002 Rex Tilly and Giedon Botha co pastors

   The First Christian Church of De Leon and Texas Christian University would naturally have ties but few people realize how close those ties actually are. 

      In 1897 a group of people met in the City Hall (while there is a mention of a city hall prior to the 1911 building it is not known where that building was located)  to organize the church.

      Among the first members were Thomas J. Nabors and family,  Alonzo D’Spain and family, Howard D’Spain, and family, J.E. Hobson and family, Mrs. Shook and children, Mr. and Mrs. John Adams, Larry Dossett and family, Feliz L. Terrill, Mr. and Mrs. Tewns and family, A.I. Stephens and family, Mrs. Wilson (J.B. Wilson’s mother), Mrs. Wilkerson (Steve Nance’s mother-in-law), Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Williford and family.

       In July 1903 the church purchased two lots on the northeast corner of Reynosa and Austin for $180.00 from the Texas Central Railroad represented by its President Henry D. McHarg.  The Elders of the church who handled the transaction were Thomas J. Nabors, Alonzo D’Spain and J.E. Hobson.

       The following year a wooden building was constructed facing west toward Austin Avenue.  It had a baptistery under the front platform.

     In 1933 at the height of the Depression, the wooden church was removed and the present rock structure was built.  An addition to the church in 1939 added a fellowship hall, kitchen and classrooms.  It was the only church constructed in Texas during the depression by the Disciples of Christ denomination.



        Alonzo L. D’Spain was a Disciples of Christ minister and the cousin of Addison and Randolph Clark who founded AddRan College at Thorpe Springs in 1873.  AddRan evolved into Texas Christian University.  Alonzo edited a De Leon Populist newspaper called The Watchman which began publication probably on July 20, 1897, about the time the church was founded.  Alonzo’s daughter Frances married William S. Whaley also of De Leon who had a career in banking and served on the Board of Regents of the University of Texas.       

The First Christian Church was built in 1933 and the wing on the far end was added in 1939. 

    A photo of the first church building constructed in 1904.  This is taken from a post card showing the east side of the town.  The roof of the building in the lower front is the Presbyterian Church.

PASTORS

J.W. Cockrill 1923

H.E. Crone  1928

J.H. Pritchard 1940

M.A. Buhler 1947

Clyde Foster 1951

Wilbur D. White 1954

Roland Hill 1961