MLK Church of Christ

The History of M.L.K. Jr. Church of Christ

Ardis Street (now M.L.K.) Church of Christ had it’s beginning, June 20, 1942. The late Bro. Luke Miller of Bradenton, Florida was preaching in a gospel meeting that resulted with fifteen souls being added to the church. The fifteen souls included Brothers Alvin Bell, Nathan Lewis, Herman Childs, Mack Morris and Sam Porter; Sisters Eddie Bell, Mittie Lewis, Rose Childs, Emma Ward, Mary Thompson, Sirella Thompson, Harriet Weeks, Ruby Mayo, Cara Watkins and Valerie Ransom. This meeting was sponsored and planned by the Jefferson Street (now League Street) Church of Christ for this great work for the cause of Christ.
Beginning June, 1942, the late Bro. Charlie Spiller, the late Bro. A. Z. Mason, Sr. and Bro. Alvin Bell, Sr. were trustees of the Church and served as leaders for the congregation.
The congregation worshipped in the Masonic Hall on Gaines St for nineteen months with Bro. A.C. Payne of Valdosta, GA., as minister. The Ardis St building was completed early January 1945 at which time worship began. Bro. Payne served for more than two years.
Bro. A. Bowdre, Sr., of Mississippi served approximately two years. Several souls were added to the Church. The Church moved spiritually during his ministry.
Bro. Beck Brown of Mt. Pleasant, TX served as minister for a few months; after which, Bro. D.A. Stroud of Henderson, Texas served as minister for about eighteen months. Bro. Stroud was a great Gospel preacher, teacher, a singer and Church worker.
In the year 1952, Bro. U.S. Greer of Florida, a great evangelist sound in the doctrine of Christ, came, served as minister, and a number of souls obeyed the Gospel of Christ, thus added to the Lord’s Church.
In December 1952, the congregation being assembled, Bro. U.S. Greer took up the ministry and under his leadership ordained into

the Church elders. They included Brothers Alvin Bell, Charlie Spiller and A.Z. Mason, Sr. Bro. Lloyd L. Nash also took up the ministry and is now numbered with the great ministers of the brotherhood.
Bro. Frank Richardson of Sherman, TX did a great work here. He worked hard and was long-suffering and patient. The great W.B. Jackson also of Sherman was honest and sincere in the work of the church become our next minister. He knew his way around in the words of the Lord, he was a great spiritual singer, and was loved and respected by all.
The late Bro. Spiller, an elder, was succeeded by Bro. Reuben Weeks, who was ordained as elder by Bro. W.B. Jackson, at which time, deacons were ordained in January 1961: Brothers Jim Dealie, L.G. Sanders, Sr. and Floyd Sanders, Jr. The church was in assembly.
Following Bro. W.B. Jackson, the great beloved Bro. Daniel Harris of Montgomery, Alabama, a graduate of Southwestern Christian College, North Texas State College in Denton and Arlington State College in Arlington, TX, came to this congregation as minister, March 12, 1961.
Bro. Harris one of the greatest church workers to be found, was honest and sincere. He had the know-how, when it concerned the doctrine of Christ. Because of his loving kindness, friendliness and pleasing personality, he gained the love and respect of all saints and sinners as a great gospel preacher.
Many souls were restored back to the church and a number were added to the church because of his willingness to work and to encourage others. Bro. Harris is well known over a large portion of the nation because of his great work for Christ and the church. He worked untiringly &unlimited for Christ.
Bro. Harris submitted his resignation December 8, 1963 having served as minister thirty-three months. Having accepted Bro. Harris, Bro. Alvin Bell, an elder fed the flock the words of the Lord guiding the church endeavoring to keep them in the bond of peace.
Bro. Jessie A. Fogle of Nacogdoches, TX accepted the local ministry here, he served beginning June 6, 1964, he served for several months and resigned after having accepted work in Austin, TX. Bro. Fogle was a splendid young Christian who labored in the doctrine of Christ. The work continued onward during his stay here.
Then Bro. Cleotha Miller of Longview, TX came to us and served from March 31, 1965 until May 3, 1970. His service as minister ended May 3, 1970 leaving about fifty faithful members.
Bro. David L. Lane of Paris, TX, a future student of the Christian College of the Southwest, served this congregation several months of 1970, his inspiring work, ability to serve this church in every capacity, laboring in the unadulterated gospel of Christ, his friendliness, his pleasing personality, his untiring effort in personal work has no limit in the service of Christ. As a young man of 18 years of age through his leadership many souls have been lead to Christ and many restored back to the fold.
On Dec. 28, 1970 Bro. Lane accepted the work here as local minister effective January 1, 1971.
In 1971, Bro. A.D. Gentry became the minister. Under his dedicated leadership, Brothers Valanderous Bell, Frederick Weeks and Paul Sanders began training to become ministers of the church of Christ. Bro. Gentry taught the young brothers through studies and living the life.
In 1976, Bro. Hawatha Jackson became the minister.
In 1980, Bro. Jerome Garrison became the minister. Under his zealous ministry, several Christian fellowships were developed and continue through the present.
In 1983, Bro. Jerry Taylor of Tennessee became the minister and under his faithful leadership ministries were set up and the church again became fruitful in bringing souls to Christ. In 1986 under the ministry of Bro. Taylor, a new edifice was built, dedicated to the ministry of Christ and occupied. In 1986 under the leadership of Bro. Taylor, elders John Hollins, Aubrey Washington and James Young were ordained. Bro. Roy Childs was ordained as deacon.
In 1989 Bro. Gerald Lee become minister while laboring as Southwest Christian College. After several months, Bro. Lee resigned to labor full time with the College.
In April of 1989, Bro. Willard Johnson of Terrell, TX became the minister.
In 1990 Hinnant Street was changed to Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and the location became the Church of Christ on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
In August of 1991, Bro. Anthony Creig Christman, Sr. took up the ministry. He labored faithfully with the congregation until accepting a minister position in Longview, TX in 1995.
In 1995 for several months, Bro. Fred Weeks fed the flock as interim Minister until a decision could be made as to the next minister for the local congregation.
In 1995 Bro. Elwaine Johnson of Dallas, TX became the minister. He labored here faithfully, and under his leadership the church was strengthened both spiritually and physically.
In 2001, Bro. Valanderous Bell became the minister and labored until 2007.
In July 2007 Bro. D.D. Coleman became the minister and served the congregation until December 27, 2009.
In July 2010 Bro. A.R. Thompson became the minister and is currently serving as local full-time minister.