BRIEF  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH  OF  CHRIST

AT  CARTHAGE

 

     Shortly after His death on the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ established His church in the city of Jerusalem (Acts 2).  The movement to organize a congregation of true followers of Christ recognized that man should never establish a new church but that all should worship in the church that had already been established by Jesus Christ.  Using the Bible as the sole authority in matters of organization, work, and worship, the members of the New Testament church began meeting as a congregation in Carthage on March 31, 1946.  Services were conducted in a building which had been purchased from John Meador.  A sister congregation, Chapel Avenue, of Nashville, Tennessee played a large role in helping get the work under way here.

      About twenty-five of the one hundred-fifty present at the first service expressed their desires to be a part of a congregation here.  Frank Young was hired to work as the evangelist, and plans were laid for a larger meeting place.  The congregation met for approximately two years in the old Meador residence, which also served as living quarters for the Young’s.

      A permanent building, complete with an apartment for the minister, was erected in 1948.  The Young’s lived with Mr. & Mrs. Vollie P. Moss during the construction.  The congregation met in the Princess Theater during the period of construction.  The original building, constructed in 1948 has had a couple of renovations and additions.

     In 1964 a new house was built for the minister and a second house was built in the late 1970’s.

     Frank Young worked with the congregation for about nine years, from 1946 to 1955.  Hollis Parker served as minister from 1955 until his death in February, 1957.  Charles Crosier worked as evangelist from 1957 until 1960.  E.M. Pinkley preached for the congregation from 1960 until 1964 when Ben S. Flatt moved here as an evangelist.  Glenn B. Ramsey preached for the congregation from 1967 until 1976.  Edward L. Anderson, current evangelist, began preaching for the congregation in 1976.

     Early Families include Kirby, Moss, Wright, Dudney, Upchurch, Evans, Hire, Bridgewater, Bradley, Merriman, McClard, Chaffin, Harder, Jenkins, Wooten and Apple.