Beacon Hill Church of Christ
Beginning to 1951
In 1922, Foy E. Wallace, Sr. began a protracted meeting in a tent at the corner of Fredricksburg Road and University Avenue, preliminary to locating a church in that region. Wallace became ill, however, and J. E. Mullens preached the remaining sermons. After about two weeks at this site, the tent was moved to the corner of Grant Avenue and W. Craig Place, where T.W. Phillips, Sr. evangelized. Conforming to prior arrangements the Beacon Hill church of Christ formally organized on July 2, 1922, the last day of the meeting. Brother Phillips was selected as the preacher. Phillips actually moved to San Antonio from Fort Worth in the fall.
There were approximately 30 charter members of Beacon Hill. Of this number, Tom H. Etheridge, J.A. Winters, and W.B. Locke were selected as elders, and J.B. Ethridge, Norman Alexander, and E.R. Simmons were chosen deacons. Shortly afterward, real estate was purchased on the corner of Grant and Magnolia Avenues, and a tabernacle was constructed.
Philips remained at Beacon Hill until the latter part of 1925 or early in 1926. All this time the saints were meeting in the tabernacle, but plans were being laid to erect a permanent structure as soon as practicable. Despite the handicap of a primitive-type meeting house, Phillips enjoyed a pleasant and fruitful ministry. Next in sequence was Roy H. Lanier, during whose tenure the present church edifice was built.
The cornerstone of the new building was laid in 1926, and in September, an additional lot adjoining the building site was purchased to allow for possible future expansion. While construction was in progress, the church met at the Beacon Hill Elementary and Mark Twain Junior High Schools.
In 1951, Mr. Butz says in response to the many who left, "Thus remains a nice nucleus for further growth in the area served by that congregation."
Need more information from 1951 to present:
SAC Bible Chair - Sammie Swim was first director.
Beacon Hill Church of Christ Memorial Trust Fund