While the church of Christ found its way to Texas early, the best evidence available indicates that it did not come to San Antonio until the last quarter of the 19th century. In March 1876, Martha E. Richardson deeded a lot on North 11th Street to certain trustees of the Missionary Organization connected with the Disciples Church of Virginia. The grant was made "For the purpose of erecting thereon at the earliest date a House [sic] for the worship of Almighty God, Also [sic] a House [sic] for any Preacher [sic] who may have charge for the mission...never to diverted from that purpose." (Bexar County Deed Record, Book 5, Page 41).
The land given by Martha Richardson was left idle until 1884. Sometime prior to 1884, probably around 1880, David Pennington came to San Antonio in an attempt to establish the cause, but his efforts proved largely futile. "He spent all his money, got no support, and left." As late at 1883, there were only a few brethern meeting. With a population of forty-two thousand, San Antonio proved a difficult place to "plant a church." (See West, The Ancient Order, II, 416.)
Nevertheless, there were enough brethern in San Antonio for the Trustees of Martha Richardson's grant to think that her wishes and objects would "be sooner and better accomplished by a transfer of the said lot" to persons upon the scene. Consequently, on March 3, 1884, the property held in trust by the Missionary Society of The Disciples Church of Virginia was transferred to A.J. Allensworth and L.L. Moody, "Trustees of the Disciples Church, situate [sic] in the City of San Antonio." (See Deed Records, Book 38, Pages 36-37 - This particular property was later sold by the Christian Church thorugh its Trustees, Paschal R. Turner and A.G. Smith. Sale price was $350.00; apparently this money was used to purchase property elsewhere, perhaps an addition to the original purchase on Camden Street. Deed Records, Book 35, Page 382).
In April of that same year, L.L. Moody, A.G. Smith, and B.F. Hall, Trustees of the Christian Church in this city, purchased a lot, approximately 55 by 166 feet, on Camden Street for the price of $700. This is the first of several pieces of property acquired on which the massive Central Christian Church building now stands (Deed Records, Book 40, Page 272-73). Soon after acquisition of the lot at the junction of Camden and Runnells Streets, construction of an edifice for the First Christian Church was begun. this structure was completed in 1885 (Bexar County Builders and Mechanics' Lien Records B, 557). Thus was erected the first meeting house in San Antonio for a church adhering to the doctrine, "Where the Bible speaks we speak and where the Bible is silent we are silent." (Mrs. Katie Pfeil, Interview, March 19, 1949. Mrs. Pfeil is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam H. Hall, who were early members of the First Christian Church and were among those opposed to innovations such as the organ, etc.)
William J. Barbee, an M.D. who practiced medicine for ten years before turning his attention to preaching, came to San Antonio in 1886 and worked with the church one year. When he left, he said that San Antonio was the hardest place he ever saw to establish the truth (West, The Ancient Order, II, 416). Thus, the church in this city was weak at the time the missionary society was established in Texas.
Although most of the Texas churches thought that organized mission work in the form of a society was an innovation not authorized in the Bible, a small, but determined, group succeeded in instituting the Texas Christian Missionary Society in Austin in June, 1886 (Brown, Churches of Christ, 286). The church in Texas, like other states, was rent asunder by this organization. In only two major cities was the Society not introduced; these were Dallas and Sherman (long note in thesis not included here - see page 32). Though the society idea was prevalent among the small group meeting in San Antonio, it did not at once lead to division.
Harmony did not prevail here for long, however. By 1893 a congregation of some two to three hundred had developed. Of this number several were doubtful about the Society and the various fund-raising schemes used by the church. When the organ was introduced in 1893, it was the "straw that broke the camel's back." Seven who "were determined to keep a firm foundation" decided they could best accomplish their purpose by withdrawing from fellowship with the First Christian Church. This they did, setting about to organize a new congregation. Those withdrawing were Mr. and Mrs. Christian G. Gish, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Sweeney, Mr. and Mrs. Sam H. Hall, and Mr. Fowler, or Fulton, a single man in the Army at Fort Sam Houston (Katie Pfeil to J.M. Butz, May 8, 1949. Mrs. Pfeil, then Katie Hall, was six years old in November 1893; the split occurred shortly before her sixth birthday as best she can recall. Mr. Sweeney was a carpenter, working under Civil Service at Ft. Sam Houston. He had been transferred from Ft. Clark at Bracketville in 1892. Mr. Hall operated a wood and coal yard. Mr. Gish did some preaching; if he had any other occupation no information is available concerning it.)