First Christian Church

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about First Christian Church in Eastland County. Now settle in, because this is a story that starts small and just keeps growing. In 1878, the Rev.

Cyrus Scarborough organized First Christian Church right there in Eastland. And from the very beginning, this was not some quiet little gathering on the fringe of things. Among the early membership were city founders, people who were literally building Eastland from the ground up.

For years, the congregation held its services in the county courthouse. Think about that. The same building where disputes got settled and county business got done was also, on the appropriate days, a house of worship.

Then in 1886, they moved into new facilities of their own. That was not the last move. In 1907, they moved again, this time constructing a building on the very site where that marker now stands.

And that is where they planted themselves. Now here is where the story gets interesting, because First Christian did not build walls so much as it kept opening doors. The congregation developed a history of ecumenical work, partnering with the local Presbyterian and Methodist churches for combined summer evening worship services, vacation bible schools, youth group events.

Different denominations, same community, same purpose. The Men's Fellowship Bible Class went even further. Interdenominational itself, the class turned faith into action.

Members constructed a park in an African American community during the era of segregation. They organized Thanksgiving and Christmas drives, collecting and delivering items to those who needed them. The church established a food pantry for senior citizens.

A jail ministry. A children's mission fund to put supplies in the hands of needy students. They opened their doors to blood drives and local organizations of all kinds.

More than a hundred years of that kind of service. The Rev. Cyrus Scarborough organized a congregation in 1878, and what grew from that beginning was something that kept reaching outward, decade after decade, long after the courthouse days were just a memory.

First Christian Church of Eastland. Still standing on that 1907 site. Still at it.

What the marker says

First Christian Church organized in Eastland in 1878 under the Rev. Cyrus Scarborough. There were a number of important Eastland leaders, including city founders, among the church’s early membership. In 1886, the congregation moved from the county courthouse, where it had been holding services, into new facilities. In 1907, it moved again, constructing a building on this site. The church has a history of ecumenical programs, working in partnership with local Presbyterian and Methodist churches. The congregations have held combined summer evening worship services, as well as vacation bible schools and youth group events. The church has played an active role in the community it serves. The Men’s Fellowship Bible Class, also interdenominational, has been a vital part of Eastland. Members have developed many service projects, including construction of a park in an African American community during the era of segregation and the collection and delivery of items for Thanksgiving and Christmas drives. The church has focused on outreach through missions and local service, as members established a food pantry for senior citizens, a jail ministry and children’s mission fund to distribute supplies to needy students. The church has also opened its doors to local organizations and activities, including blood drives. After more than 100 years of service, First Christian Church of Eastland continues to be a spiritual, education and community leader for the area. (2006)