San Gabriel Christian Church
Noted for its many streams and fertile soil,
this area of Texas has long been inhabited.
Early European institutions included three
18th-century Spanish Missions, as well as a
Presidio. The following century brought many
changes. In 1835 the Mexican Government granted
Abigail McLennan Fokes a league of land that
included three future sites of what would become
the San Gabriel Christian Church, which began
circa the 1840s. The group, known as "Campbellites"
first worshipped in private homes. In 1854 Martha
Kolb was the Church's first documented baptism,
and during the next few years many more settlers
converted and joined through baptism. In 1859
the San Gabriel Christian Church formally organized.
In 1884, the Church built its first Sanctuary on
land donated by J.W. Hamblen. Known as the Old
White Church, it sat on a hill between Pecan Creek
and the San Gabriel River. The building and many
records survived a fire, but because of frequent
flooding, the congregation move in 1901 to a new
Sanctuary across the river on land donated by
Henry F. and Lucy Baird. Weather again affected
the congregation when winds severely damaged the
building around 1921; in September of that year,
heavy flooding washed away the salvaged llmber
intended for reuse. In 1924, members constructed
a third house of worship at this site, where they
remain today.
Over the years the congregation has been served by many leaders in the Disciples of
Christ denomination, including some active in Brite Divinty School at Texas Christian
University. In addition to programs and worship, the congregation has given to its
community through Mission work and other services. Many members are descendants of the
original families, who came together more than 150 years ago to worship.
Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
San Gabriel Christian Church
San Gabriel, TX
Erected 2005
184 CR 421
0.1 mile from interstection of
CR421 and FM486.
San Gabriel Christian Church
.
Church to celebrate 155th year, dedicate new Family Life Center
Rockdale Reporter
June 25, 2009
3-night revival to precede celebration events planned Sunday morning, afternoon
San Gabriel Christian Church will celebrate its 155th anniversary on Sunday, June 28.
Activities will include a praise and worship service at 11 a.m. followed by a barbeque
dinner at 12:30. At 2 p.m. the congregation will dedicate its new Family Life Center.
There will be congratulatory proclamations from local and state officials, including
Gov. Rick Perry, the Senate and House as well as words of encouragement from Dr. Dusty
Ruebec, president of Dallas Christian College. Following the dedication there will be a
gospel concert featuring the MasterPeace Quartet at 3 p.m.
Leading up to the anniversary celebration will be a midweek revival featuring preachers
from area Christian churches: Wednesday night, Tom Long of Adina Christian Church;
Thursday, Harry Stevenson of Rockdale Christian Church; and Friday, Brandon Navarre of
Forest Grove Christian Church.
Special music will be provided by those churches each evening as well. Each service
will begin at 7 p.m.
Billy Bob Cox, evangelist of the San Gabriel Christian said, “We are very excited about
this opportunity to share the history and future of San Gabriel with the community. San
Gabriel is the oldest church in Milam County and has a long and rich history of sharing
the gospel and meeting both the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the
community.”
“Our family life center,” he said, “was built not long after Hurricane Katrina, and so
it was designed in such a way it could be used as an emergency shelter in times of
crisis. In addition, we have an exciting program on Wednesday nights throughout the
school year reaching out to the youth of surrounding communities.
We actually have as many kids on some Wednesday nights as we have total attendance on
Sunday morning. It’s a great blessing to see so many children whose lives and families
are being touched by the vision of a small ‘country church’.”
San Gabriel has a wide range of services and programs including a breakfast each Sunday
at 9:15 a.m. followed by Sunday School at 9:45. Morning worship begins at 11 a.m. and
there is an evening study at 6 p.m. In addition, the church holds Christian Youth
Fellowship throughout the school year and youth from the church participate in programs
at Tanglewood Christian Camp in the summer.
San Gabriel Christian Church - History of it's Buildings and Congregations
Research compiled by Jayne Henry Thompson, 2004 - assisted in formatting by Pam Dymke
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Research compiled by Jayne Henry Thompson, 2004 - assisted in formatting by Pam Dymke
(this is a large file...please give it time to load)