The Church of Christ had its beginning in Anadarko about 1925 and met first in the Old Columbia Theater Building on West Broadway. The Church began with 10 members, mostly women. The property used in 1965 on West Central was acquired in 1930. An old two-story house was remodeled for Church use. The two story home was sold and the structure was moved off the lot. The first unit of the building at 202 West Central was erected in 1946. Two class roolm additions were later made to that building.
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The church purchased a residence for the minister in 1963 on London Drive in Anadarko. The first full-time minister was J.D.Rothwell who moved from Houston, Texas, to begin work with the church in September, 1963. |
In 1964 the church purchased a two-acre building site on S.W. 6th Street, the present day South Mission. The first consistent group of elders were selected in March 1964 and the first consistent group of deacons were appointed in November of 1964. The elders were Jack Deason, James Freie, Lloyd Mitchell and Ed Hendrix. The deacons were Harold Angli, Kendall Dykes and Jim Smalling. |
Preachers who served in regular work from 1925 to 1965 include: C.V.Ballard, Lucius Spears, Hardy Baugh, Porter Wilhite, A.D. Tweedy, W.A. Martin, T.A. Davis, Clyde Riley, Don Mansur, George Bryan, Gene Folks, Will M. Thompson, Roy Cosgrove and Tim Watson. Waldo Proffitt, Eulys Russell and Sam Evans from Chickasha have served extended periods of time in this capacity prior to 1965. |
Those who have conducted meetings from 1925 to 1965 include: Burton Coffman, Gray Carter, C.R. Nichol, Cled Wallace, H.Lacey Porter, A.G. Hobbs, Jr., Lloyd L. Smith, E.C. Watson, Jesse Kelley, J.C. Stepp, Virgil Trout, Richard Daughterty, David Allen, Robert Alexander, Roy Foutz, Guy N. Woods and C.E. McGaughey. |
In 1965 the church numbered over 160 in attendance. During this time there were three annual programs: a Spring Lectureship, Vacation Bible School and a Gospel Meeting. |
Preachers who served in regular work from 1966 to 1997 include: Rant Edwards, Carol Thomanson, Don Crow, Don Wright, Eddie Beard, Lloyd Overby, Charles Mackey, Buddy Chisolm, Bill Lowry, Terry Tharpe and Veronon Curry. Preachers from 1997 to present include Bob Ekman and Chuck Poulos with Robert Dyer currently servering as interim minister. |
In 1971 the church began meeting in a new brick building on South Mission with approximately 190 in attendance. The first minister in the new structure was Don Wright. The elders were Jack Deason, Ed Hendrix and James Freie. The deacons wer Alvin Beene, Kendall Dykes and Pat McComas. |
The church has been without shepherds since 1985. In 1999, 70 were in regular church attendance. In 2002 attendence had dropped to approximately 46 and is currently at 62 (May 2005) and climbing. |
Portions of this history were originally from the 1965 church directory. It has been edited and added to by members of the current body of Christ in Anadarko. If you have a contribution or correction to this history, please feel free to contact us with any information. |
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