History of the
Church of Christ
in Wharton, Texas
By Leon Locke
In 1899, Brother McCarty from Austin, Texas preached a series of gospel sermons in Wharton. As far as can be ascertained, that effort represented the beginning work toward establishing the church in this area. Several were baptized during the meeting, due to a lack of leadership, no regular meetings for worship were held.
In 1908, W. C. Harris moved to Wharton County from Maury County, Tennessee. Through his influence another brother, Newt Derryberry, came from Columbia, Tennessee a few years later preaching at several places in and around Wharton. His work was followed by similar efforts on the part of Brethren W. S. Morton and F. C. Sowell, both of Columbia. Other meetings were held from time to time and in 1919, a small group began to meet regularly.
At that time, permission was obtained to use the Presbyterian building on Sunday afternoons. Later the group met in the local high school, then in a vacant house owned by one of the members of the congregation. In 1929, a small frame building was purchased from the Lutherans for $500. It had been previously owned by the Methodists and was located on the north side of Caney Street between North Richmond Road and North Houston Street. It was only a block and one half from the square and served as the place of meeting until early 1942.
In the meantime, through the efforts of some of the same men who had been instrumental in founding the work in Wharton, small congregations had been established in Iago and Hungerford. Neither of these groups owned a building and was meeting in schoolhouses. Discussions by leaders of the churches in Wharton, Iago and Hungerford had resulted in a decision to merge the three congregations and to erect a building suited to their needs.
A site was procured at the corner of Abell Street and Avenue C consisting of two 50= X 150= lots. Construction was completed in December of 1941 and a charter was granted by the State of Texas on June 14, 1941. The property was valued at $25,000. and there was no indebtedness.
The first service in the new building was held the evening of January 2, 1942. Paul Southern, a member of the faculty of Abilene Christian College at the time, preached the first sermon. He had formerly taught in the public school at Hungerford, had greatly enhanced the cause of Christ in the area, and was well known in the community. Leon Locke, a senior student at ACC, directed the singing and later in the year moved to Wharton to preach for the church.
In late 1942, the membership numbered 85, weekly contributions were slightly over $50. and Sunday Bible School attendance averaged 80. Other preachers were to follow. Elders were appointed and the congregation grew in number.
By 1960, more space was needed. The original rectangular building had been designed with future enlargement in mind. The seven classrooms were removed and the pulpit and baptistry were moved toward the west wall, making room for five new pews on either side of the front of the auditorium. The classroom wing with a nursery and bathroom facilities was added at that time.
A significant event in the history of the Wharton church was the merger in 1985 with the Boling congregation. Enlarged numbers and a strengthening of the life and work of the church resulted. The annex was constructed in 1989.
What those sacrificing preachers of 80 years ago envisioned for the Lord’s church in Wharton we cannot say. But we can keep faith with them by being true to the gospel they preached and teaching future generations.
Preachers Through The Years
Brother McCarty, C. Harris, Newt Derryberry, S. Morton, C. Sowell, Paul Southern, Leon Locke, Joe Scarborough, Gene Norman, George Fare, Osby Weaver, Gene Martin, Larry Davidson, Gene Polvado, Paul Jones, Luke Guthrie, John Lowrie, Jacob Saarloos.
Current Preacher/Minister: Ralph Bryant