Lipscomb Union Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Way out in Lipscomb County, on the high plains of the Texas Panhandle, there's a church that has outlasted tornadoes, thin populations, and the long slow attrition of time itself. That's saying something.

J.W. Arthur established the town of Lipscomb in 1886, and by the very next year it had already claimed the title of county seat. Stores went up, a post office opened, a newspaper started rolling, and folks began putting down roots in that wide-open country.

Then came 1908, and the community decided it needed something more than commerce. Residents organized Lipscomb Union Church to fulfill the community's spiritual needs, as the marker puts it, plain and direct. The Reverend George A.

McKee stepped in as its first pastor, leading a congregation that was non-denominational from the start, which is itself a kind of quiet declaration: everybody welcome, come as you are. They met in a one-room wooden building, put up by the hands of area residents themselves. Now, if you've ever spent any time on the Texas Panhandle, you know the weather up there doesn't stand on ceremony.

In 1917, a tornado hit that building, damaged it, and shook it partly off its foundation. Partly. Not all the way.

And the members didn't wait around to see what the wind had in mind next. They worked quickly to repair the damage, and the church kept right on going. That pattern, members giving time and energy and money to keep the place standing and growing, that pattern became the whole story of Lipscomb Union Church across the decades.

The Ladies Aid, formed by women of the church, took on responsibilities in the community. The Crusaders, a youth group, kept younger generations connected to the congregation. Members reached beyond the county line, supporting international relief work and partnering with nearby rural churches.

None of this was flashy. The number of residents in Lipscomb stayed low throughout the twentieth century. That's just a fact.

But the church kept meeting, kept serving, kept showing up. Some institutions survive because they're famous. This one survived because the people in it decided, over and over again, that it mattered.

Today, Lipscomb Union Church stands as what the marker calls a vital institution, a spiritual beacon for the town and the county. Built by neighbors, tested by a tornado, sustained by generations of quiet commitment. In a county that never had a whole lot of people, they built something that lasted.

What the marker says

Lipscomb Union Church has served the residents of this community since the early 1900s. J.W. Arthur established the town of Lipscomb in 1886, and by the next year it was the county seat. Lipscomb soon boasted several stores, a post office and a newspaper. In 1908, residents organized Lipscomb Union Church to fulfill the community's spiritual needs. The Rev. George A. McKee served as its first pastor. Early in its history, the congregation of the non-denominational church met in a one-room wooden building erected by area residents. A 1917 tornado damaged the building and shook it partly off of its foundation. But members worked quickly to repair the damage. Over the years, members have continued to commit time, energy and funds to make repairs, additions and improvements to the worship facilities, and to take on other responsibilities in aiding the church and community. Members have actively served Lipscomb through various auxiliaries, including Ladies Aid, formed by women of the church, and the Crusaders, a youth group. They have also been active in supporting international relief work and have worked with nearby rural churches. Although the number of residents living in Lipscomb remained low throughout the 20th century, the church continued to meet regularly. Today, Lipscomb Union Church remains a vital institution in the community, enriching lives and serving as a spiritual beacon for the town and county. (2007)