"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy, without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14

The Christian Church (Discpiles of Christ) was founded in the early 1800's in the United States.  Seeking to move beyound demoninational disagreements, the founders envisioned only one Christian Church, modeled on the New Testament.

The church grew rapidly across the American frontier, in part because it shared many values of the early settlers.

Today our nearly 4,000 congregations still share some of the characteristics.

• Each congregation is self-governing unit and calls it own pastor.
• Worship services may be formal or informal, and include lay men and women as leaders.
• Open discusions of issues is encouraged.  A variety of opinions is welcome.
• Our congregation include a broad ethnic and racial membership.

The Central Christian Church had its beginning in Childress in 1906 in the courthouse. Rev. J.D. Mason was the first pastor and the church began a rapid growth. An evangelist by the name of Jackson held a series of meetings which resulted in a small numbers, but in 1907 another series of meetings was held by Rev. Arthur Jones and many new members were added to the church. The first building was stared in 1907 and completed in the same year. The Central Christian Church has been in the same location since the first building was constructed at 310 2^nd Street, Northeast.

The first evangelistic meeting held in the new church was conducted by Rev. Nathaniel Jacks. It resulted in 72 additions to the church rolls.

Some of the first pastors of the church were Revs. Humphrey, Darnell, Baxter, Golightly, Tyman, Davis, Huckleberry and Betchley. In 1924 Reuban A. White was called as pastor. Following White were John Mullen, 1926-33; Charles Ferguson 1933-35; W.W. Jewell, 1935-37; GH Farmer, 1937-42. During the years from 1942-45 short ministries were served by FW Ross, O.K. Posey and Mr. Dennis.

In 1945 Frank Crow was called as minister. During his ministry a building fund was enlarged and a new building constructed. The first service in the new building was held September 8, 1946 and the church was dedicated on October 20 of the same year. At the time of dedication of the new church the official board was composed of H.W. Shirley, L.B. Taylor, Sr. and Frank Dakil as elders; and deacons were Earl Preston, Vivian Jones, N.W. Roberts, P.R. Jeter, George Barry and William Shewmaker. Deaconesses were Mrs. N.W. Roberts, Mrs. William Shemake and Miss Imogene Stiner.

In 1947 Chester Gleason was called to minister the church. In 1948 Frank Crow returned to again become minister of the church, and in 1950 John Mullen was again called to become the pastor. Mullen served until 1956 when Kenneth E. Jones became the pastor. He was followed in 1959 by Thomas J. Norman. Pastors since have been Rev. R.C. Brown, Curtis L Keith, Carlton Downing, Clifford Parker and Jay Lee Scott.

Taken from: They Followed the Rails, A History of Childress County
                     Copyright 1970 by the Childress Reporter, Editor Paul Ord