1875 – 1900
The Disciples of Christ organized the First Christian Church in Garland in 1875, having some thirty-nine charter members. It was located two miles south of the present location, in the little settlement of Duck Creek, which is now the Dewberry addition off Kingsley road. The first minister was W. B. Cole, who served two or three years. Among the charter members were; Mrs. Eliza Fletcher, Mr. and Mrs. Will Fletcher, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Fletcher, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Smith, Mrs. Belle Coates, Mrs. Lucy Byrd, Mrs. John Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. Uriah Spong, Mrs. Poke Jones, Mrs. Lizzie Garrison, Mrs. Cathreen Embree, Miss Dollie Embree, Miss Ida Embree, Mrs. Matthew Erwin, Mrs. Mahala Daniel, Mrs. Marion Murphy, and Miss Joe Murphy. Many descendants of this founding group are still among the membership.
In the next nine years the church had four ministers; Rev. Wilmeht, Rev. McIntyre, Rev. R. M. Gano, and Rev. W. H. Walker, all part-time ministers.
In 1885 the first full-time minister was called, C. L. Cole, son of the founding minister. During his ministry, in 1888, the church was moved to its present location in the new settlement of Garland. In 1899 it was remodeled, a wing was added on the north, and a small addition on the south for the pulpit, choir, and baptistery. The baptistery was a unique innovation, for prior to that time most churches baptized converts in a creek. Rev. Cole served the church until 1903.
1901 – 1950
During the next years, the church had the following ministers; Rev. J. M. Martin, who came in 1903; Rev. C. A. Chasteen, 1904; Rev. C. E. Moore, 1907; Rev. Stephen Morton, 1910; Rev. Lee Spencer, 1912; Rev. W. O. Dallas, 1913; Rev. Logan Martin, 1916 — many of these going on to prominence in our brotherhood.
In 1922, Rev. W. L. Graves was called as minister. During his ministry in 1924, the frame structure was torn down and the main part of the present structure was erected of red brick, with a very large sanctuary and balcony, kitchen, fellowship room, and class rooms. The church obtained its first organ at that time, a gift of M. D. Williams.
During the next growing years, the church called Rev. M. O. Ewing, in 1925; Rev. George Dickinson, 1926; Rev. E. D. Henson, 1929; Rev. E. W. Martin, 1932; Rev. W. O. Dallas, 1935; Rev. C. D. Poston, 1936; Rev. Wilbur Mix in 1938 left in 1941 to become a chaplain in the United States Army. During his absence the pulpit was filled by Rev. Thomas L. Massie, in 1942; Rev. Roy Moore, 1943. Rev. Mix served until 1952.
1951 – 2000
In 1952, Rev. Nelson Schuster was called as minsiter. During his ministry, the north wing was added, doubling the classroom space, and giving a large fellowship hall. Rev. Schuster served until 1953.
Rev. Patrick Henry, Sr. served as ad-interim minister until Rev. Ed Stowell Mace arrived as pastor in May 1954. In that year the building was centrally air-conditioned. In 1956 the church sold the frame parsonage at 901 Avenue E and purchased a large brick home at 1805 Patricia Lane. This home was sold in 1985.
In February 1964, Rev. Mace concluded his ministry. LeRoy Munyon was secured as ad-interim minister for three months.
On the last Sunday in May, 1964, the church commissioned more that 150 persons to start the Western Heights Christian Church under the sponsorship of the Dallas Area Association of Christian Churches. This is the second congregation which has been sponsored by our church. About eight years previous more than 150 persons were commissioned to start the Monica Park Christian Church.
On June 1, 1964, Dr. Chester Crow became minister of the church. During his first year the sanctuary and chapel were remodled and refurnished. A $200,000 education wing was completed in the summer of 1969. After a three year building program, the education wing, sanctuary, chapel, and new Georgian colonial style entrance and church spire were dedicated September 7, 1969.
The growth of the church was such that in 1968 Rev. Ken Cuppett was called as its first full time associate minister. Dr. Crow became ill in early 1970; Ken Cuppett assumed all ministerial duties for the remainder of the year. Dr. Crow resigned in 1970 and was named Minister Emeritus, an honor he held until his death in September 1984.
Rev. Don McKenzie came as senior minister in January 1971 and Ken Cuppett left in 1972. Rev. Jack Yates served as associate minister from 1972 – 1979, assuming additional interim senior minister duties when in 1979 Don McKenzie accepted the call to Northway Christian Church in Dallas. Jack Yates was appointed senior minister in 1980 and served until January 1986. In 1985 the sanctuary, balcony, foyer areas, and children's wing were completely remodeled.
Roger Bray served as associate minister from 1980 – 1982; Mike McGuire 1982 – 1983; and Tommy Thompson from 1983 – 1988.
In January 1986, Tommy Thompson assumed all ministerial duties until Dr. Robert Gartman accepted the call as interim minister in March and stayed until Rev. Tony L. Salisbury became senior minister in August of that year. Michael Yarbrough began his ministry on January 1, 1989, as the associate minister.
In August of 1988, Lisa Davidson accepted the position of Minister of Youth and Young Adults. David Huffman served in the same position from 1990 – 1991, followed by Wade Miller from 1991 – 1992. In March of 1993, Laurie Diederich joined the staff.
In 1986 the new sound system was installed and the church van was purchased. The youth wing and new lighting in the fellowship hall were completed 1987. The land for the parking lot across from the side entrance of the church was purchased in 1989 and later that year a parking lot was constructed. The church bus was purchased in 1993 by four families, with Leigh Green as the primary contributor.
2001 – Present
After Rev. Salisbury accepted a call to be Area Minister, the Rev. Don McKenzie served as Interim Senior Minister. In September of 2001, Rev. Dan Jones was called as the new Senior Minister. In July of 2002, Rev. Ray Owens accepted the call as Associate Minister. In March of 2003, Rev. Greg Smith became a part of our staff as Minister to Youth. The church expanded with the purchase of the former Williams Funeral Home and its parking lot in 2003.
Through the years the church has sent a great many men and women into full time Christian vocations including: Miss Hallie Strange, deceased; Arthur Buhler, deceased; Sue Eldridge Smith, deceased; Doctor S. D. Smith, III, deceased; Doctor Rex Mix; Doctor Robert Daniel; Susan White Gary; and Steve Martin. Additionally, Tommy Thompson was ordained while serving our congregation.