Document Type
Finding Aid
Publication Date
3-9-2023
Inclusive Dates--Span
1903-1987
Inclusive Dates--Bulk
1950-1987
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of various materials and records collected from the University Church of Christ in Abilene, TX. These materials include: Audio reels, photo albums, printed materials, hispanic church materials, sermons, slides, mission reports, 20th Century Christians, correspondences, church bulletins, meeting minutes, Argentina files, congregational studies, mission project reports, attendance records, elders meeting minutes, and audio cassettes. This collection is a compilation of several accessions, including an accession that was once housed in a filing cabinet. An accrual of one folder was added to Box 1 containing a record book of "The Church of Christ at Abilene, Texas" in 1903, and newspaper clippings regarding the history of the Church of Christ in Abilene, the completion of the building for the College Church of Christ in 1952, and the addition of an educational building in 1961.
Biographical Note
The following biographical note was excerpted from uccabilene.org:
“Soon after the turn of the last century, in about 1903, a small group of Christians began to worship together in Abilene. They became the College Church of Christ, an acknowledgement of the new Christian college founded nearby in 1906, and selected as elders J.W. Childers, H. E. Myers and Brother Roberts and grew to a group of about 100.
Forty-nine years later a much larger group, which already had moved three times, worshiped God for the first time in our neo-Spanish-style house of worship across the street from then Abilene Christian College. The congregation’s name was changed in 1976 to University Church to reflect the new designation of our neighbor university. But the heart of the church and its mission to serve a risen savior remains unchanged.
The people of this congregation have attempted over the years to live a counter-cultural life in Abilene, in our homes and in the ministry-driven facilities of the church.
From Price Billingsley to Bradley Steele, our ministers have probed God’s word and – led by the Spirit – have carefully led us in examination of the Scriptures and encouraged us to search the scriptures.
From W.H. “Henry” Free to Leonard Burford to Sean Pullen our song leaders have helped us lift up our voices in songs, hymns and spiritual songs to praise our God.
From Daisy Sewell to Bess Bell to Jennifer Welch our Bible class teachers have nourished our young, bright-eyed children by literally and figuratively taking them into their laps as Jesus did.
From supporting the J.K. Desha family in India in 1924 and the founding of the Abilene Mexican Ministry to our new full-time training of indigenous preachers in their Spanish-speaking hometowns via the live technology of the Texas International Bible Institute, this congregation has heard and acted on the Great Commission.
From the Childers Classical Institute students of 1906 to the current Abilene Christian University students who worship and serve with us, we have prepared thousands of university graduates to serve throughout the world. Through them, we have put leaven and salt into the world via young leaders.”
Donor Note
University Church of Christ
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in no discernible order. The arrangement of accessions that were added to the collection have been kept in their original order, as has the main body of the collection.
Content List
See pdf finding aid for folder inventory.
Subjects
Churches of Christ--Texas, Churches of Christ--Texas (Abilene)
Language
ENGLISH
Extent of Collection
132 linear feet (88 boxes)
Manuscript Number
Center for Restoration Studies Manuscripts #169
Physical Location
Center for Restoration Studies
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [file or folder name], University Church of Christ Records, 1903-1987. Center for Restoration Studies MS #169. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.
Use Restrictions
Open to researchers. Contact Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives to make an appointment.
Processing Status
Processed
Finding Aid created by
ACU StaffAudrey Schaffner, Brady Cox, Mac Ice, Amanda Dietz, Ashlen Planes
Comments
Please contact us with questions about our holdings or to schedule a research visit.