The cleavage in San Antonio was rather unique in that a property settlement was made with those desiring to worship without the organ and the Society. The ones leaving the Central Christian Church were given a financial settlement within a short time, the money being prorated on the basis the number leaving bore to the total number in the congregation. With the cash received, a down payment was made on property whereon was built a house of worship. Apparently, the money paid failed to satisfy the claim of those dissenting, for in November, 1895, a prominent member of the “Crucial” Christian Church, Jay E. Adams, deeded a lot, 50 by 125 feet, on “Wesatch Avenue” to the Christian Church worshipping on Pierce Avenue “for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar and the cancellation of an old claim against the Crucial Christian Church.” This lot was later sold by the Pierce Avenue Church for $75.00.
To distinguish themselves doctrinally from the Christian Church on Camden Street, those opposed to innovations called themselves, for a time, the “Firm Foundation Christian Church.” At first they met from house to house, and then made arrangements to meet at the Free Methodist Church building on Crosby Street, where they continued to assemble until property was purchased on Pierce Avenue and a meeting house was erected. On March 1, 1894, a plot on which to put a church building was obtained from Albin Seidel at a total price of $664.00 This lot faced west of Pierce Avenue for a distance of forty-six and three fourths feet and extended sixty-seven and one-half feet along the south side of Sharer Street. One hundred forty dollars was paid, the balance being secured by a promissory note signed by C.A. Gish, Thomas S. Sweeney, and S.H. Hall, as trustees.
Indicative of the concern created by their own plight in being forced out of the church building which they helped support on Camden Street is the proviso,
…that if at any time said Church shall adopt in its worship instrumental music of any kind or shall form or organize or encourage societies of any kind in the work of said Church or as Auxillarys to same, or shall give suppers, bazaars, or any entertainment of any kind whatsoever for purpose of raising money for church purposes, this deed shall be forfeited by that part of the membership violating any or all of above conditions and revert to any part of the membership of the Church of Christ opposed to such innovations.
Purchase of property dedicated to the worship of God according to a strict interpretation of the Scriptures laid the foundation for a steady, though not phenomenal, growth by the church of Christ in San Antonio. Shortly after receipt of the lot on Pierce Avenue, the men of the congregation, then numbering about 20 in total membership, set about to construct a building. With Thomas Sweeney acting as foreman, the adult males donated their labor and a small meeting house, about 20 by 40 feet, was erected on the front of the lot at Pierce and Sharer. The building was completed the later part of 1894 or early 1895. It seems that Sweeney was paid for his work on superintending construction by being allowed to build a small residence on the back of the church property. At any rate, he did build and lived upon the church property until he left San Antonio some time later. After his departure, the church rented the house as a source of income and following the removal of the congregation to another location, sold it.
By the time the building was completed the Pierce Avenue congregation numbered about 25. San Antonio, itself, was growing and most of the growth in the church was occasioned by newcomers who were already baptized believers. Just before the move into the auditorium was made, C.A. Gish was designated as the regular preacher, being paid whatever the contribution was each Sunday. Not long after the church house was completed, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. McGary, and family, and Mr. and Mrs. James Gillespie, and family, moved to San Antonio. McGary and Gillespie were men of some financial standing, and moved here primarily to strengthen the struggling congregation, the former being a capable gospel preacher who had held several tent meetings in this city. Through McGary’s efforts, coupled with those of the congregation, the membership enjoyed a steady increase.
In about 1897 an effort was made to build up a work in the center of the business district through operation of a “mission” in the area. The church rented a small building on the southwest corner of Navarro and College Streets, installed benches, and various men of the congregation rotated in teaching and preaching at night. Little apparent good resulted from the endeavor, however, and it was abandoned around 1900.
Somewhere between 1900 and 1902, the Pierce Avenue Church was given new impetus by the coming of “Weeping” Joe Harding. “Weeping Joe,” so dubbed because he was easily moved to tears while speaking, increased the number of Christians by his open-air evangelizing. At the period of Harding’s advent, open-air preaching in the summer was customary with many religious groups. The church obtained a permit from the city to preach on Alamo Plaza. Sam Hall, who operated a wood and coal yard, furnished a wagon which was used to transport a ready-made congregation. Parking the wagon on Alamo Plaza in front of the post office and not far removed from the chili peddlers then frequenting the Plaza, the group would sing several songs, and Brother Harding would deliver a sermon. This put the church of Christ before the public more than had before been done, since large crowds gathered to hear and watch. From these efforts people were converted, and the church grew.
Harding also held protracted meetings in various sections of the city, concentrating particularly upon the area south and west of Conception Park. As a result of the efforts in this latter section, a new church was built. Early in 1908, land was purchased and a building constructed on South Flores Street. Harding then began to preach regularly for the new congregation, and McGary, Hall, Gish, and others resumed the preaching duties for a while at Pierce Avenue.