Central Christian Church
Weatherford, Parker County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This congregation was founded in 1894 by sixty-five former members of the First Christian Church (now South Main Church of Christ). Known in its early years as Central Church of Christ or Central Christian Church, the congregation's first pastor was the Reverend W.H. Bagby. W.R. Vivrett and F.O. McKinsey served as the first elders, and the first Board of Deacons consisted of W.H. Hemphill, W.B. Wells, and W.K. Shropshire. The congregation's first building was a stone structure located at the corner of West Oak and Houston Streets, one block south of the Courthouse Square. Dedicated on May 13, 1894, and enlarged in later years, it continued to serve the members for seventy years. The Whitt Christian Church in northwest Parker County disbanded in the 1950s, making the Central Christian Church the only Disciples of Christ congregation in Parker County. The need soon arose for larger church facilities. Land at this site was purchased in 1960, and a new sanctuary was dedicated on May 10, 1964. The original church building became a museum. An important part of Parker County history since its founding, Central Christian Church continues to serve the community with a variety of worship, educational, and outreach programs. (1990)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1894 sixty-five former members of Weatherford's First Christian Church broke away to found this Disciples of Christ congregation, dedicating a stone church near the courthouse square that May. It served for seventy years, and when a neighboring congregation disbanded in the 1950s, Central became the only Disciples of Christ church in Parker County. A new sanctuary followed in 1964, while the original building became a museum.
Why it matters
The congregation's long life reflects the central role of the Restoration Movement churches in shaping community and civic identity across nineteenth-century Texas.
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Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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