EXTRACT FROM ALLEN CHRISTIAN CHURCH HOMECOMING ON NOVEMBER 2
"About 1885 members of the Christian Church, living around Allen, decided to form an organization in Allen. Services were held in the old schoolhouse with visiting pastors in the pulpit. In 1886, the church was organized with T. J. Ereckson and Owen Mathews as Elders, and J. L. Brown and W. L. Franklin as Deacons. Rev. J. Ben Faulkner was the first pastor. Services were held in the new Baptist Church until the organization could build a church. The building was completed, in 1887 and Rev. Douglas preached the dedicatory sermon in 1888. This building was located on the lot just north of the present church and was used, until 1913, when the present structure was erected." The congregation of First Christian Church built this Prairie style structure in 1918 to replace its original rectangular building and brush arbor.
The church’s beautiful stained glass windows were given in memory of the Brown, Bush and Ereckson pioneer families. They served the congregation as Elders and Deacons in those early days, and their families continued in active service for many, many years. They also served the growing Allen community in establishing farms, a mercantile, a school and a bank.
In 2003 this church was donated to the City of Allen Heritage Guild and moved from its original location to facilitate the reconstruction of Allen Drive. It had been chosen to become the focal point of the restorations of historic buildings in Allen Heritage Village. As funds became available, an historic preservation architect was hired to plan for the restoration. The restoration was completed in 2008 by the City of Allen and the Allen Heritage Guild. Landscaping was designed by Rooted in the Past and planted by Master Gardeners of Collin County, Allen Garden Club and the Heritage Guild. The facility is now available for weddings and small community events such as the performing arts, funerals, memorials, and worship services.
The Church continued to meet during this time of transition in their Fellowship Hall until 2010 when a new Church facility was built at Twin Creeks and Exchange Parkway where the Church has met since 2010.
Some key persons in the church
Presbyterian minister Barton W. Stone was born in Port Tobacco, Maryland, December 24, 1772. He died in Hannibal Missouri, November 9, 1844. Stone was educated as a school teacher and entered the ministry through the presbyterian Church. He served a church in Cane Ridge Kentucky, and after hosting the historic Cane Ridge Revival o
Presbyterian minister Barton W. Stone was born in Port Tobacco, Maryland, December 24, 1772. He died in Hannibal Missouri, November 9, 1844. Stone was educated as a school teacher and entered the ministry through the presbyterian Church. He served a church in Cane Ridge Kentucky, and after hosting the historic Cane Ridge Revival of 1801, (also see pages on the Cane Ridge Meeting House and Shrine) he and several others formed the Springfield Presbytery denouncing all human creeds and appealing to the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice.
They soon dissolved the Springfield Presbytery, and published the Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery, one of the documents the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) considers key in its development. They dissolved their denominational ties to enter into unity with "the body of Christ at large." They called themselves, simply, "Christians."
Thomas Campbell was born in County Down, Ireland, February 1, 1763. He died in Bethany, Virginia (now West Virginia), January 4, 1854. He came to America from Scotland in 1807. He was chastised by Pennsylvania church authorities for refusing to use Presbyterian creeds as terms of communion. In 1808 he and others founded the Christia
Thomas Campbell was born in County Down, Ireland, February 1, 1763. He died in Bethany, Virginia (now West Virginia), January 4, 1854. He came to America from Scotland in 1807. He was chastised by Pennsylvania church authorities for refusing to use Presbyterian creeds as terms of communion. In 1808 he and others founded the Christian Association of Washington, Pennsylvania. That group adopted the motto, well-known by Disciples, "Where the scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent." Campbell and others were called "Reformers," for their desire to restore the Church's first century roots. This way of life came to be known as the "Restoration Movement."
Near Washington, Pennsylvania, Campbell and his son, Alexander, and the Christian Association established the Brush Run Church, which, in 1815, became part of a nearby Baptist Association.
Reformers and the Baptists differed on key issues. By 1830, the Reformers cut their last ties with the Baptist Association and became known as "Disciples."
Thomas Campbell's passion for Christian unity is summed up in his proclamation that : "The church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one." This statement is the first and key proposition of Thomas Campbell's Declaration and Address, a work called by some the "Magna Charta" of the movement that preceded the denomination known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Alexander Campbell was born September 12, 1788 in the County of Antrim, Ireland. He was raised as a Presbyterian. He attended the University of Glasgow, Scotland.
In 1809, Alexander arrived in America from Scotland, and joined his father, Thomas, in western Pennsylvania. He carefully read and fully endorsed the principles of Thomas
Alexander Campbell was born September 12, 1788 in the County of Antrim, Ireland. He was raised as a Presbyterian. He attended the University of Glasgow, Scotland.
In 1809, Alexander arrived in America from Scotland, and joined his father, Thomas, in western Pennsylvania. He carefully read and fully endorsed the principles of Thomas' Declaration and Address. Biographer Nathaniel Haynes says that Thomas and Alexander Campbell were "one in their aims, spirit and work."
The younger Campbell was a prolific writer. In 1823, he founded the periodical The Christian Baptist. After the Reformers dissolved ties with the Baptists, Campbell founded a new publication called The Millennial Harbinger. He was a talented debater, and in 1829 drew attention to the Restoration Movement in a widely known debate with social reformer Robert Owen. In 1837, he engaged the Roman Catholic John B. Purcell, archbishop of Cincinnati, in a widely publicized eight day debate on the traditions and beliefs of the Catholic Church.
His public speaking skills, writing, and articulation of the place of reason (but not pure rationalism) in Christian faith propelled him into the leadership of the "Disciples of Christ."
A dedicated scholar and educator, Alexander Campbell founded Bethany College, Bethany, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1840 and served as the school's first president.