Tyler in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Of Tyler

Photographed by James Hulse, September 1, 2023

1. First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Marker

Inscription. The first known record of a Christian (Disciples of Christ) Church in Tyler appears in an 1859 deed that secured title to property on which a red brick sanctuary was built. With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, the fellowship was disbanded. For two decades Tyler had no active Disciples of Christ congregation, although a few of the members continued to conduct a bible school.

In 1889, J.J. Lockhart, who was state evangelist for the Texas Christian Missionary Society, held a meeting in the Albertson Opera House, and a new church was organized. The congregation met in a tabernacle on West Erwin Street but was without a full-time minister until 1906, when the Rev. J.J. Lockhart returned to Tyler and became the pastor.

From 1889, the membership grew, and two additional sanctuaries were built, a Sunday school was organized, a women's missionary auxiliary was formed, and youth activities were added. A large number of ministers and missionaries have come from this church.

Throughout its history the First Christian Church of Tyler has played an important role in the community and in the Disciples of Christ brotherhood.

Erected 1984 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7727.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 32° 18.215′ N, 95° 18.002′ W. Marker is in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. It is at the intersection of South Broadway Avenue (U.S. 69) and Loop State Highway 323, on the right when traveling north on South Broadway Avenue. The marker is located on the southwest section of the church grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4202 South Broadway Avenue, Tyler TX 75701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

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is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Thomas Glover Pollard, Sr. (approx. ¾ mile away); Colonel Richard B. Hubbard / Governor R. B. Hubbard (approx. 0.8 miles away); Ordnance Plant (approx. 2 miles away); Rudolph Bergfeld (approx. 2 miles away); Tyler Junior College (approx. 2.3 miles away); Site of Confederate Arms Factory (approx. 2.3 miles away); Woman's Building (approx. 2.4 miles away); Chilton-Lipstate-Taylor House (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tyler.

The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 1, 2023

2. The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Marker

The view of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 1, 2023

3. The view of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 501 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 7, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.