Marietta
Oklahoma
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First Christian Church
History
In 1903, a group of people began worshiping in homes and by 1906, the group was meeting in the Steel Hotel on Main Street to organize a church. Attending were B. B. Askew, C. N. Miller, L. B. Butler, I. F. Butler, A. Eddleman, W. I. Alexander and John P. London.
They met in homes, then in a building east of the Court House, and by 1907 they had purchased a building adjoining the Masonic Hall. It was located across the street west of the present Bancfirst on 105 SW 2nd Street.
In 1909, the head of the twenty-five families who organized the church determined to build a house of worship that would express their love and devotion to the Lord. A building committee met often in Judge Eddleman's office. Led by Dean L. Bond, Pastor, plans were drawn for a unique building with stained glass windows and Byzantine dome which served as a memorial to their vision and faith for more than 70 years.
The early congregation established Mission churches at Overbrook, Bowles and Eastman, where the Pastor preached Sunday afternoons.
The church was fortunate to have had many ministerial students from Brite Divinity School, TCU, as pastors. These included George Davis who served National City Christian Church, Washington D.C. during the Johnson administration.
In 1978, Rev. Wilbur Mix led the congreagation as they prepared to call a full-time minister for the first time in years. This resulted in a 70% increase in giving, a new constitution, functional committees, reorganization of the Chrisitan Women's Fellowship (CWF), an increase in outreach giving and the purchase of a church van.
In 1982, the old building was found to be unsafe and in 1984 a new building was built with the original stained-glass windows, pews and some furnishings from the old church. Because of far-sighted leaders, the church owns the entire block with the parsonage east of the new church. In 1987, a Baldwin 520 console organ was purchased to replace the 35 year old Wurlitzer, which had served the congregation faithfully for years. During all these years, the women of the church have provided strong leadership as well as major contributions of building payments and other needs of the church. On September 13, 1987, the current building mortgage was burned. With a modern building and a strong desire to provide a religious element in the community, the membership looks forward in faith as they continue the witness started in 1906, with gratitude to the Lord.
In 1903, a group of people began worshiping in homes and by 1906, the group was meeting in the Steel Hotel on Main Street to organize a church. Attending were B. B. Askew, C. N. Miller, L. B. Butler, I. F. Butler, A. Eddleman, W. I. Alexander and John P. London.
They met in homes, then in a building east of the Court House, and by 1907 they had purchased a building adjoining the Masonic Hall. It was located across the street west of the present Bancfirst on 105 SW 2nd Street.
In 1909, the head of the twenty-five families who organized the church determined to build a house of worship that would express their love and devotion to the Lord. A building committee met often in Judge Eddleman's office. Led by Dean L. Bond, Pastor, plans were drawn for a unique building with stained glass windows and Byzantine dome which served as a memorial to their vision and faith for more than 70 years.
The early congregation established Mission churches at Overbrook, Bowles and Eastman, where the Pastor preached Sunday afternoons.
The church was fortunate to have had many ministerial students from Brite Divinity School, TCU, as pastors. These included George Davis who served National City Christian Church, Washington D.C. during the Johnson administration.
In 1978, Rev. Wilbur Mix led the congreagation as they prepared to call a full-time minister for the first time in years. This resulted in a 70% increase in giving, a new constitution, functional committees, reorganization of the Chrisitan Women's Fellowship (CWF), an increase in outreach giving and the purchase of a church van.
In 1982, the old building was found to be unsafe and in 1984 a new building was built with the original stained-glass windows, pews and some furnishings from the old church. Because of far-sighted leaders, the church owns the entire block with the parsonage east of the new church. In 1987, a Baldwin 520 console organ was purchased to replace the 35 year old Wurlitzer, which had served the congregation faithfully for years. During all these years, the women of the church have provided strong leadership as well as major contributions of building payments and other needs of the church. On September 13, 1987, the current building mortgage was burned. With a modern building and a strong desire to provide a religious element in the community, the membership looks forward in faith as they continue the witness started in 1906, with gratitude to the Lord.