FORNEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

I have written bits and pieces about this church during the past years, but periodically I am asked questions that apparently were not answered, or not answered completely, about specific details. So, here goes the final ADDENDUM for a while.

*Condensed from the archives of the Forney Heritage Society* Circa 1881, Millage Stevenson and a few members or at least “attenders” of what was then known in Forney as The Church of Christ attempted to build a house of worship on the corner of Aimee and Burgett Streets on/in Forney’s “Northside.” However, there were very few to take part, and there was no organized church body them; therefore, an unfished frame building was evidence of the abandoned effort of such a worthwhile endeavor!

The Baptists somewhat “rescued” the project by buying the unfinished building and the lot under and around it. The group finished the building in 1881 and moved in, also allowing the use of the building for a school during the 1881-1882 year. The building burned in 1918, and this ended the Baptists’ use of the lot for worship purposes.

Let’s go back to the year, 1876, when a very energetic and enthusiastic member of the Christian Church, or the Church of Disciples of Christ as people referred to it at that time, came to Forney from Virginia—and he was a most devoted advocate of a strong Union of Christians. He wanted CHRISTIAN UNITY! During his early years in Forney, he was able to convince many leading ministers of his church and others in Texas and other states to join in “revival meetings,” which were actually UNION SERVICES.

However, no CHURCH BODY was organized or housed, and his dream of uniting all religious bodies into one big group FAILED—even after at least 20 years of consecrated and dedicated work/leadership!

Many outstanding early ministers and highly educated lay workers preached in Forney during these early times. Some followers were baptized, while many more expressed desires to be associated with the Disciples of Christ, but a “real” organization of the group did not take place until 1893.

Beginning in early 1892, A. J. Walker, Dr. N. B. Shands, John Potts, and several others dedicated themselves to building another house of worship, and they began the building process in July of 1892 at the corner of Border and Houston Streets, producing a beautiful wooden building with a STEEPLE and very attractive stained-glass windows. The new building was “dedicated” in 1893 and served the people of the congregation very well for the next 25 or so years.

1894 and then later: Elder J. B. Boen and B.B. Sanders returned, and in not too much time, the “DISCIPLES” numbered more than 300. As time nearly all of them moved away.

1896: Woman’s Missionary Society of the Christian Church was organized by Dr. Olivia Baldwin, retired missionary from India, and it was very active, never missing a meeting until the Church closed.

1916: A new brick building was started and occupied in 1917 with E. L. Thompson as Pastor. This was the first BRICK HOUSE OF WORSHIP in Forney (red brick and concrete with 24,500 cubic feet of space, Corinthian architecture, a pipe organ, and stained-glass windows.) The cost of the Church was $17,500.00 and the endeavor was debt-free from the beginning (savings and donations)!

*The Church was intensely “missionary oriented” since its organization in 1893, and the Forney Church was NATIONALLY KNOWN and recognized for its missionary work, leadership, and support.* The last resident pastor was Reverend C. E. Chambers (1929). Reverend Ben M. Edwards followed his tenure and commuted from Dallas (1935). Finally, two student pastors came to preach on Sundays (1935).

Ultimately, the number of resident members was too few to support the Church, and the building was closed, only being cleaned and opened for funerals periodically. The First Baptist Church purchased the lot and building and used it until their new building was completed in 1973, when the red brick building was dismantled so that the lot could be used for parking. The stained glass windows were preserved and used in the new building. Many Forney residents were sad to see the “old faithful beauty” pass away!