History
The Central Church of Christ had its beginning when a group of Christian met February 8, 1960, at the home of Jamie and Pearlie Pearson for the purpose of organizing a group that became the church. Those present were Jamie and Pearlie Pearson, Jerry and Jean Milligan, John and Meredith Jackson, Robert and Ethel Goodrich, Doyle and Eloise Bowers, and Robert and Lorene Berry.
A vacant residence and two lots at 709 North Second Street were purchased, with the residence to serve as a meeting place until an auditorium could be built. At that time, Bill Thompson was the minister at the Groveton Church. He agreed to preach for Central until a minister could be hired. The Groveton Church agreed and supported him. The first service was held February 21, 1960, with 45 members in attendance. As a part of their work, the members would lend support to children’s homes in Texas and Oklahoma and a home for the elderly.
Morris Kemper, a minister in Kerrville, Texas, conducted the first gospel meeting in the residence. He was supported by the Kerrville congregation. Other congregations were liberal in their support for Central, and the membership grew rapidly. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held April 17, 1960, and construction began on a 300-seat auditorium which was opened for the first service June 12, 1960. Elders and deacons were selected to serve. Elders were Sidney Smith, Raymond Trimble, and Jiggs Smith. Deacons were Robert Goodrich, Doyle Bowers, and Robert Berry. Later, T. L. Vansau, Marvin Partin, and Benton Hardin were added. Jimmy Moffett, a minister of Memphis, Tennessee, was the first evangelist to conduct a gospel meeting in the new auditorium.
The frame building was moved and a wing added to the auditorium and divided into classrooms. The C. A. Burke estate across the street from the building was purchased but soon sold to the City of Lufkin for the Civic Center, with the understanding that the parking lot could be used by Central’s members. The membership outgrew its facilities and a 500-seat auditorium was built. The first service and open house were held on April 1, 1973. The old auditorium was converted to classrooms and a fellowship hall. Later, Jamie and Pearlie Pearson purchased the property adjacent to the new structure and gave it to the church. An educational building was erected along with additional parking. The Spanish-speaking Christian meet in this building.
Over the years, the membership and attendance declined and grew older. The spirit and the people remained strong and determined to serve the people of Lufkin. The church supports The Mosaic Center, GODTEL Ministries, and various other community efforts.
The decision was made in early 2020 to move the worship services from the large Worship Center to the smaller fellowship area in the Youth Center, with attendance averaging around 100. Then the pandemic hit in March 2020, and the congregation has conducted all classes and services online for the past year.
After a year of prayer and planning, Lufkin Central was relaunched on March 21, 2021, in the redesigned Worship Center. Services will also continue to be streamed online for those who cannot attend in person.
A vacant residence and two lots at 709 North Second Street were purchased, with the residence to serve as a meeting place until an auditorium could be built. At that time, Bill Thompson was the minister at the Groveton Church. He agreed to preach for Central until a minister could be hired. The Groveton Church agreed and supported him. The first service was held February 21, 1960, with 45 members in attendance. As a part of their work, the members would lend support to children’s homes in Texas and Oklahoma and a home for the elderly.
Morris Kemper, a minister in Kerrville, Texas, conducted the first gospel meeting in the residence. He was supported by the Kerrville congregation. Other congregations were liberal in their support for Central, and the membership grew rapidly. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held April 17, 1960, and construction began on a 300-seat auditorium which was opened for the first service June 12, 1960. Elders and deacons were selected to serve. Elders were Sidney Smith, Raymond Trimble, and Jiggs Smith. Deacons were Robert Goodrich, Doyle Bowers, and Robert Berry. Later, T. L. Vansau, Marvin Partin, and Benton Hardin were added. Jimmy Moffett, a minister of Memphis, Tennessee, was the first evangelist to conduct a gospel meeting in the new auditorium.
The frame building was moved and a wing added to the auditorium and divided into classrooms. The C. A. Burke estate across the street from the building was purchased but soon sold to the City of Lufkin for the Civic Center, with the understanding that the parking lot could be used by Central’s members. The membership outgrew its facilities and a 500-seat auditorium was built. The first service and open house were held on April 1, 1973. The old auditorium was converted to classrooms and a fellowship hall. Later, Jamie and Pearlie Pearson purchased the property adjacent to the new structure and gave it to the church. An educational building was erected along with additional parking. The Spanish-speaking Christian meet in this building.
Over the years, the membership and attendance declined and grew older. The spirit and the people remained strong and determined to serve the people of Lufkin. The church supports The Mosaic Center, GODTEL Ministries, and various other community efforts.
The decision was made in early 2020 to move the worship services from the large Worship Center to the smaller fellowship area in the Youth Center, with attendance averaging around 100. Then the pandemic hit in March 2020, and the congregation has conducted all classes and services online for the past year.
After a year of prayer and planning, Lufkin Central was relaunched on March 21, 2021, in the redesigned Worship Center. Services will also continue to be streamed online for those who cannot attend in person.
