OUR HISTORY

History of First Christian Church at Lockhart

The First Christian Church of Lockhart, Texas began with seven charter members in 1852. These members were William B. Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Proctor, Mr. and Mrs. John Proctor, John Bradford West and William Preston Withers.

​

There was no church building, but the participants met on the fourth Sunday of each month in a small two‐story frame building located across the street from the Episcopal Church on north Church Street.

​In 1856 the members voted to build a church and in 1858 the building was completed on the lot across the street from where we are now. It was a concrete building with a large basement which was used for various purposes, including a newspaper and the Winkler Bottling Works. In 1872 the Lockhart Echo News noted that the Campbellite Church held services the second Sunday of every month with J.R. Wilmeth as pastor. The church was chartered on June 7, 1895 as a corporation.

 

The present building was originally designed and built by Tom Hodges in 1898 for the approximate cost of $28,000. Built in High Victorian style, the belfry was open, but was closed early in the century. The original Caldwell County Courthouse and Jail, and the Dr. Eugene Clark Library were also designed by Mr. Hodges. Then building across the street was sold to W. S. Vogel for $3000. Much of the money to build the original building was given by John Blanks, a merchant in Lockhart. Mr. Blanks also gave money to start the Texas Bible Chair at the University of Texas.

 

In the early 1900’s First Christian held summer “camp meetings” at Fentress on the San Marcos River, some lasting as long as three weeks. Members camped out in tents or other make‐shift shelters. Joining the “Campbellites” were people from other denominations. It was one of the highlights of the year.

 

Following World War I, the church continued to grow until there were close to 200 people in Sunday School. The Ladies Aide Society and the Christen Endeavor were organized. Then in 1929 the depression began and giving became hard for church attendees. The church struggled until the beginning of World War II. While the young male members went to war, other young people stationed at Camp Gary in San Marcos found housing in Lockhart and began to attend. With the end of the war, men returned, and the church membership grew with the beginning of the “baby boom”.

This necessitated the remodeling of the sanctuary and the addition of the Fellowship Hall in 1954 at a cost of $61,840. Barnes, Landes and Goodman were the architects. During this time, church was held at various members homes, Dr. O. K. Duboise’s office and the Grace American Lutheran Church.

 

When completed the building had central hear and air, new carpet, new pew cushions and a restroom! In 1966 the church built a parsonage on Vogel Drive. In 1974 we purchased the Medical Building adjacent to the current back yard. It housed the Caldwell County Christian Ministries and was an interdenominational activity center to address the needs of the community.

 

Through the years five members have gone on to become ordained ministers. The membership continues to give to the community by organizing the annual Coats for Kids, supporting the Southwestern Good Samaritan Ministries in Los Fresnos, Texas which is on the Mexican border, and houses Meals on Wheels. The church has a tremendous history in the community and a strong future ahead of it as we come together in faith and experience the transforming love of Jesus Christ. The strength of the relationships we have with one another in our church family is critical to our strength as a church, called by God to reach out to others to make disciples of Jesus Christ.