of Eastside Church of Christ
1921
The East Side Church of Christ first met in Graham with six families in 1921, meeting in one small room over Moody Brothers Auto Company, located at the corner of 4th and Cherry streets. This small congregation purchased land at First and Tennessee streets and was known as East Side Church of Christ. The services were held in an open tabernacle until cold weather and the tabernacle was closed in on all sides. The old tabernacle is still in Graham.
During the infancy of the church, the first preacher was Earl McCabe of Fort Worth who preached on June 19, 1921. On June 25, 1921, the first gospel meeting was preached by U.R. Forrest, preacher of the Stamford Church of Christ, preaching morning and evening for two weeks.
1930
The first full-time preacher at Eastside was Carl A. Collins who preached each Lord’s Day for nine months in 1930. When several members were transferred during the oil boom days, brother Collins preached every other Sunday, alternating with the Loving Church of Christ. Brother Collins introduced a regular 4th Sunday singing of the area Churches of Christ in the afternoon. Brother Collins was active preaching revivals in the section.
1946
The church continued to grow and in 1946 the elders at East Side challenged the congregation to construct a new building. The building was dedicated the first Sunday of January 1947. The basement of the auditorium allowed for Bible classes for children and the auditorium was used for an adult class and worship. Eastside begins broadcasting their morning worship services on the local radio.
1956
East Side enlarges its building to accommodate increased attendance. An education portion is added to the building which includes an additional four rooms in the half-basement and four rooms above. A preacher’s study is also added.
1958
By 1958, East Side decides to sponsor Melvin Harbison as a missionary to Hong Kong. East Side continues to sponsor the mission until 1966 when the Brady Church of Christ decided to be the lead sponsor. East Side will continue to support the mission effort for many years.
1966
The elders create Possum Kingdom Christian Camp for children in the area. It was that same year that one of the elders, Jerry Jergins, began a feasability study for a Belknap Children’s Home sponsored by East Side Church of Christ. This same year East Side purchased 8 acres of land on Indiana Street.
1967
On July 26, the elders signed a contract to constructed a new church building. The growth of the church necessitated more parking, more classrooms and a larger auditorium. The new building would be located at 705 Indiana Street. On August 1, 1967, the church would spend the morning service in prayer, the went to their land for “dinner on the ground,” and a group of men that comprised the building committee and elders broke ground for the new Eastside Church building.
1968
October 6, 1968, Eastside dedicated their new church building to a standing-room-only crowd. The attendance was just over 650 to witness the new building for the Lord.
1975
Eastside sponsored Adrin Fletcher, who grew up in the church, as a missionary in Edinburg, Scotland. Brother Fletcher remained there for three years until he decided to return to the States where he continued full-time ministry.
1983
Eastside constructed their activity building. In 1984 Eastside created a family ministry under the leadership of the elders and their minister, Doug Rohre.
1991
Eastside Church of Christ participated in the One Nation Under God campaign sponsored by the Sycamore Church of Christ in Cookeville, TN.
2018
Eastside worked with area churches in a crusade to the lost. In 2020 Eastside was a primary participant in Vision 2020, a combined effort with the Ministerial Alliance to present the gospel to the unchurched.
2020
Eastside was a primary participant in Vision 2020, a combined effort with the Ministerial Alliance to present the gospel to the unchurched.
2021
In the past 100 years Eastside has had 24 full-time preachers. All men who loved the Lord and humbly expecting God to do great things with His people. Dorman Holub retired in 2021 as the full-time minister for Eastside Church of Christ
1968
2021
