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HISTORY of the Smithville church of Christ
In 1868, the southland lay in ruins, reflecting the tragic events of the Civil War... a testimonial to the destructive seeds, sown by bitterness and hatred. Southerners, trudging under cumbersome loads, sought desperately to reconstruct their shattered lives. It was a time that tested men's souls.
Into this dark period the Smithville Church of Christ was born. Lacking the luxury of their own building the early Christians, under the influence of pioneer preacher, J. M. Kidwell of Alexandria, gathered to worship in the old town courthouse. Among them were W. B. Crowley and his daughter, Miss Martha, R. B. West and his mother, Aunt Polly (relatives of Miss Susie Foster and Mrs. Rebecca Young.) To this handful of worshipers the promise of Jesus held special significance. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Six years after the birth the growing membership left its adopted building and moved into their frame structure on the corner site of North Mountain and West Main. The historical move was made in time for their first protracted meeting in 1874, held on the first Lord's day in October... a date, that has become traditional in subsequent gospel meetings.
Four oil lamps lit the chandelier that suspended from the ceiling and candles glowed along the wall of the new building. It was not unusual to hear Dr. G. G. Dillard announce, "preaching tonight by early candlelight."
The influence of Brother Kidwell's preaching was felt throughout the county, and the church began to grow rapidly. As the bell in the tower would chime out its Sunday morning welcome, a steady procession of horse and buggies, bearing people from other communities, would began gravitating to the house of worship.
At the age of 56 Brother Kidwell was called home, and his body was laid to rest in the Kennedy Cemetery, adjacent to the Smithville Municipal Park and Golf Course.
In October, 1902, something occurred that was to, again, alter the face of the congregation. A gospel meeting was in progress, when a raging thunderstorm swept through town and began whipping against the building, threatening the peace of the worshipers. Palm leaf fans increased their tempo.
Brother L.S. White ceased preaching and requested Brother Martin and Brother George Foster to go outside and investigate. As soon as Brother Foster was outside, he made a dash for home. Brother Martin returned to the building and was nearly trampled in the stampede. However the storm was kind to the unstable structure The fear, engendered by this violent element, aroused the brethren to action; and the following year, the erection of a brick building on the same site was the result. This brick building housed the church for sixty-eight years. Brother Samuel H. Paul preached the first sermon in the new building. The elders at that time were A. J. Goodson, A. P. Tracey, L. P. Womack, J. E. Drake and Dr. T. J. Potter.
Brown and Kate Foster resided next to the church building, and their doors were always open to visiting preachers. Some of them were H. J. Boles, H. Leo Boles, Tolbert Fanning, Caleb and Jesse Sewell, Sandy Jones, J. M., C. C., and W. T. Tidwell, Wiley B. Carnes, Lake Melton, and O. P. Barry.
Although for many years the church was unable to retain the services of a full-time preacher, there were elders, that supplied nourishment to the flock. In recent years the church has supported several ministers. They include, C. W. Powell, Russell McNalty, Charles Gentry, Everett Fields, Claude Lamar, Elbert Young, Daniel Gunn, Vester Cawthon, W. J. Lemons, C. E. McCamie, Bob Spann, Paul Hughey, Aubrey Johnson, Mickey Bell, Wayne Langford, and our present ones, Dan Gulley and Tim Woodward.
February 3, 1971, marked another milestone in the congregation's history, when it exchanged its aging building for a spacious, modern facility, newly constructed on Armory Street. The building was a reflection of space age technology in design and comfort... a stark contrast to the environment of the pioneer members. In 2000, the present structure was renovated to seat more people and facilitate an expanding work for the Lord. However, touches of traditionalism prevailed in Room 14, where the pulpit and benches from the old building had been transferred. (The pulpit had been made by Poke Womack)
As the congregation held its first service on that Wednesday night, C. E. McCamie stood behind the pulpit, unaware of the illness that was to shortly plague him and shorten his work in the service of the church.
Today the old familiar faces have disappeared from the scene, and a new generation has emerged, challenged by the legacy left by our forefathers... faith, and dedication. Our current average attendance per Sunday is 275.
Some of our activities of the Church include: Benevolent Ministry, Food Program, Brothers Keepers, Day School, Local and Foreign Mission Work, Vacation Bible School, Youth Programs, Webb House services, Bible Study, and Home Service Ministry.
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