DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it, friend — and it's worth a listen. Now, before there was a Handley, there was a Turkey Knob. That's what folks called this community, tucked away in what's now Tarrant County.
But things have a way of changing when a railroad comes through. After 1876, the T&P Railroad built a depot and a section house nearby, named the stop Handley, and just like that, Turkey Knob faded into the past. Starting in 1882, the local Protestant denominations around here did something practical — they shared a union church building, pooling their faith under one roof.
That arrangement held for a good while. Then comes 1905, and a man named J. Dan Thomas decides the time has arrived for something more particular.
He opened up his own home and invited approximately twenty-two men and women inside — not for supper, mind you, but to organize the Handley Church of Christ. Twenty-two souls gathered in a private home to start something that would outlast all of them. The congregation grew, moved to a larger space, and over the years constructed several buildings.
By 1919 they had settled right here at this location — and here they have stayed ever since. Through all of it, the members kept themselves woven into the life of this community: worship, Bible study, mission work, outreach. A congregation that began in a living room with twenty-two people, still standing.
Turkey Knob couldn't have imagined it.
What the marker says
Originally known as Turkey Knob, an early community in this area changed its name after 1876, when the T&P Railroad built a depot and section house nearby and named it Handley. Beginning in 1882, local Protestant denominations worshiped in a union church building. In 1905, J. Dan Thomas invited approximately 22 men and women into his home to organize the Handley Church of Christ. The congregation soon moved to a larger space and has constructed several buildings over the years, remaining at this location since 1919. Throughout the church's history, members have maintained a significant presence in the community through worship, Bible study, mission work and outreach. (2005)