Jefferson Church of Christ
Most Recent: Members at Jefferson voted to sell their building in January 2010. The last service held on March 14, 2010.
In May 1943, Sixteen charter members met in a rented building at the corner of West Mistletoe Avenue and Howard Street. W.G. Carver and Roy H. Hale led these people from Beacon Hill in a move designed to eventually center a work near Jefferson High School. P.D. Wilmeth, former minister at Beacon Hill, was engaged in September, 1943, as preacher for the new group, and was given a rather free hand in directing the affairs.
While located on Mistletoe Avenue, this assembly was known as the Northside Church. Despite certain handicaps, Northside grew, and some felt it would be well to remain in the same general area rather than to move west of Fredericks
burg Road. But the original idea prevailed, and lots at the intersection of Donaldson Avenue and Kampman Boulevard were purchased on October 8, 1947. A structure was then raised on this plot, and the first service was held in April, 1950. This edifice had eight classrooms and a nave with seating capacity of 300. When the indebtedness on it is lifted, a larger auditorium will be erected and the present building designed to serve solely as an educational wing.
Original and current elders of Jefferson church are A.L. Baker, Roy W. Hale, and R.H. Jackson. They were selected during the summer of 1950. The preacher, P.D. Wilmeth, left June 30, 1951. His successor has not yet been chosen.
J. Marshall Butz, A Brief history of the Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas, 1876-1951.
The source material contains additional sources.
Elders: Walter Curry, Vernon Lewis, James Denton (1979)
Those present the last service: March 14, 2010.
Celebrate Jefferson Church of Christ
SAN ANTONIO -- The song echoed in the auditorium on the last day members of the Jefferson Church of Christ met for worship. Milton Judge led the remaining members in this heroic anthem.
There's a royal banner given for display
To the soldiers of the King
As an ensign fair we lift it up today
While as ransomed ones we sing
Marching on, marching on
For Christ count everything but loss!
And to crown Him King, we'll toil and sing
'Neath the banner of the cross!
According to J.M. Butz's historical record of churches of Christ in San Antonio (1951), "Sixteen charter members met in May 1943 in a rented building at the corner of West Mistletoe Avenue and Howard Street (this location is just north of San Antonio College). W.G. Carver and Roy H. Hale led these people from Beacon Hill in a move designed to eventually center a work near Jefferson High School. P.D. Wilmeth, former minister at Beacon Hill, was engaged in September, 1943, as preacher for the new group."
The Christian Journal (the predecessor to this newspaper) printed an article in April 1979 with historical data to that time. According to Helen Tucker, who served a source for the earlier article, Frank Traylor took up the reigns following Wilmeth's ministry. Then Jim Dobbs came to preach. Frank J. Dunn moved to Jefferson in 1955 and worked there 1963. John Hollingsworth came in 1963 and served until 1966. At that time John T. Smithson came and preached until 1971. Don Lyles preached for four years and then in 1974 J.D. Cash came to Jefferson.
Several years ago in my church growth class, Dr. Huffard said the gates of Hades will not prevail against the Lord's kingdom doesn't mean congregations would not grow old and die. Churches do grow old and, like people, they die. That surprised a young 22-year old in graduate school who didn't have the experience of church life cycles.
Churches are hosts to funerals and sometimes they have funerals - those moments in time when the members realize that to continue would be fruitless as its demise becomes apparent. Those are bittersweet experiences. Bittersweet because on one hand the closing of a congregation may seem like a disappointment, a failure. But sweet on the other hand because the congregation had a full and effective life which should be celebrated.
While Bro. Judge led the above lyric, I learned that truly the members at Jefferson displayed with great excitement and effectiveness the royal banner for all of San Antonio and South Texas to see. They toiled and sang. They worked and shared the good news.
Carmen Smith placed her membership at Jefferson in1948 while the congregation still met at the W. Mistletoe and Howard location. Her favorite years were those when her children were married at Jefferson. John T. Smithson performed the ceremony for both of her sons. Her husband took care of the sound system for services and weddings. She says she certainly enjoyed all the monthly fellowship dinners. She appreciated so much the ministry of John Hollingsworth whose manner of delivering a sermon kept her attention and a joy to hear.
Bro. Hollingsworth explained part of the strategy of Jefferson at the time was to help those moving in from smaller congregations feel more comfortable. This strategy included created eight Bible classes with no more than 25 people. This allowed for those from smaller congregations to feel they could get to know people better. And the church continued to grow.
In November 2008 Richard Pectol began sharing with preaching duties with Bro. Hollingsworth.
One of his favorite memories is the conversion of a family who began attending there.
Jack Pope was an elder at Jefferson when he was elected to the Supreme Court of the state and named Chief Justice. Senator John Cornyn also attended Jefferson. Fred Palmer was Chief of Police in San Antonio and a member at Jefferson.
At one time Jefferson had 500-600 in attendance and was the largest congregation in San Antonio. The VBS programs were effective in reaching families and the church worked hard to train their Bible teachers. Jefferson supported many mission works including supporting the minister at Brady Gardens, a hispanic church on the Westside of town.
The royal banner given for display does not allow any one member or preacher to boast of their work at Jefferson - it exists to demonstrate the work of God through a called group of people that met on Donaldson Ave. For God's work through them for so many years, we celebrate.
Even though the church building is closed, former members of Jefferson will continue to meet periodically for fellowship.
Update: Where the Saints Meet, year?
Elders: Ray M. Brown, Walter Curry, Douglas E. Davidson, E.W. McDonald, Jack Pope, Paul P. Rose, Beverly Rust