Bethany Christian Church

A Historical Perspective

In the Beginning …

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

In the Beginning …

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

Central Christian Church

First Permanent Church Building Located at Intersection of Capitol and Caroline

First Christian Church

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

South End Christian Church

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

South End Christian Church

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

The Ministers of South End

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

The Road to Bethany

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

The Start of a New Church

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

A Work in Progress

Open for Worship

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

The Sr. Ministers of Bethany

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

Associate Ministers

           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  2006 - Present Rev. Hershel Moore, Senior Associate ** Still confirming dates

Music Directors

     Kay Fischer Tony Carroll Bryon Jennings Robert Hammitt Tom Crow

Bethany’s Timothies

         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

Bethany’s Building Additions

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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

The Current Building

Early Houston Christian Churches

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

What Disciples Believe

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Like most Christians, Disciples Affirm:

Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God, All persons are God's children     

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.

Disciples Educational Institutions

Universities and Colleges

 Barton College – in Wilson, North Carolina               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

   Brite Divinity School – in Fort Worth, Texas Christian Theological Seminary – in Indianapolis, Indiana Lexington Theological Seminary – in Lexington, Kentucky   Phillips Theological Seminary – in Tulsa, Oklahoma Seminario Evangelico de Puerto Rico - in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Famous Disciples Members

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 Ronald Reagan 40 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