First Christian Church of Beaumont
Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Dallas evangelist A. J. Bush heeded the call of a local group of Christians and conducted a number of religious meetings in the area in 1894. A structure donated by a local Episcopal church was relocated and used as a sanctuary for First Christian Church beginning in 1899. First Christian's Ladies Aid Society helped raise funds to erect a new church building at a nearby site in 1904. Growth in church membership prompted the building of a new sanctuary/fellowship hall and other facilities here in 1962. The church helped establish and nurture Beaumont's Washington Blvd. Christian Church, Northwood Christian Church, and University Christian Church. Camp Wildurr, a youth camp developed by the congregation on 50 acres in 1955-56, was donated to the Texas Association of Christian Churches. The camp later was acquired by the Beaumont Independent School District. During the 1960s and 1970s the church organized a Mother's Day Out program; a Meals for the Elderly project; and helped establish an interfaith preaching series and "Some Other Place," an outreach program providing food, clothing, and other help to the needy. The congregation continues to provide spiritual guidance for the religious community of Beaumont.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
First Christian Church of Beaumont traces its roots to 1894 revival meetings led by Dallas evangelist A. J. Bush, and by 1899 the congregation worshiped in a relocated former Episcopal building. Growth carried it through new sanctuaries in 1904 and 1962, and the church helped plant several other Beaumont congregations. Over the decades it built a youth camp and launched programs feeding the elderly and aiding the needy through its 'Some Other Place' outreach.
Why it matters
The congregation illustrates how a local church can seed new churches and anchor a city's social-service safety net across generations.
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Related people
- · A. J. Bush
Themes & tags
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