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 San Gabriel Christian Church
N 30° 41.688 W 097° 11.850
14R E 672636 N 3397165
The San Gabriel Christian Church congregation has survived in this community for more than 150 years, even when their church buildings kept getting moved and rebuilt due to storms, fires or floods.
Waymark Code: WM14MCD
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 07/26/2021
Views: 2
The San Gabriel Christian Church has the address of 184 CR 421, Thorndale, TX 76577. The church building is at the junction of CR 421 with FM 486, where FM 486 takes a sharp 90-degree turn right at the place CR 421 merges with FM 486. The posted coordinates will lead you to the parking area right in front of the church where the Texas historical marker is installed.
This church was founded around 1840 and has had several variations in its theological leanings, but most of the time, and especially for the most recent generations of the congregation, the church has been affiliated with the Disciples of Christ denomination. Many of the families that originally formed this church still have descendants who are active members!
Marker Number: 13202
Marker Text:
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 worshiped 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 moved 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 lumber 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 Divinity 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 in worship.
(2005)
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Visit Instructions:
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