First Christian Church of Rockdale

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'm gonna give it its due. Way back in 1887, a congregation took root in Rockdale, Milam County, and they called themselves the First Christian Church. Now, the man who first served that church was the Reverend A.

J. Bush, Senior, born in 1846 and gone from this world in 1920. And here's where the story gets interesting: Reverend Bush was a Civil War veteran, which means he had already seen more of the world, and more of its hardships, than most men ever do.

But instead of letting that weight keep him down, he turned his energy toward building something. Not just this church in Rockdale, but Christian churches in many areas of the state. Instrumental, the marker says, and that word carries some real freight.

This was a man on a mission, in every sense of the phrase. The congregation that grew up around his work kept right on going, decade after decade. The original buildings on that Rockdale site eventually gave way, and in 1958 a new brick sanctuary rose in their place.

Now here is the part that makes you feel something: it wasn't some hired crew that put it up. Volunteers from the congregation provided most of the labor. Neighbors.

Families. People who had skin in the game, literally. That building was built by the hands of the people who would worship inside it.

And the First Christian Church of Rockdale didn't stop at its own doorstep, either. Local missionary work, foreign missionary work, and assistance to people in need, the church has been woven into the fabric of Rockdale for generations. This marker was placed in the Texas Sesquicentennial year, honoring one hundred and fifty years of Texas history stretching back to 1836.

And this church, organized in 1887, has been part of that story ever since. Some institutions are built in a day and forgotten in a season. This one was built by hand, in faith, and it's still standing.

What the marker says

Organized in 1887, this church was first served by the Rev. A. J. Bush, Sr. (1846-1920), a Civil War veteran who was instrumental in establishing Christian churches in many areas of the state. Previous buildings on this site were replaced in 1958 by a new brick sanctuary, with volunteers from the congregation providing most of the labor. The church has been involved in local and foreign missionary activities for many years. Offering assistance to people in need, the First Christian Church continues to be an important part of the Rockdale community. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986