|
Past, Present, and Future
This congregation, under the name Southside Church of Christ, was established by Dr. I.L. Van
Zandt and other elders, in a fast growing southern area of Fort Worth in 1892. Southside is now in
its second century of service. Established to bring glory to God and to spread the message of Jesus,
Southside has endured the test of time.
At present, the Southside church is a mixture of young and old. For over 100 years, the
congregation has served God by upholding the truth taught in scripture. The congregation
has served the community of Fort Worth by raising law-abiding citizens. The young that are under
her influence are taught to respect the rights of others and to respect and obey the laws and
those that are in authority. With God's help, Southside has trained and developed young boys to
be preachers, elders and teachers. Southside has tried with success to strengthen "the home" among
its members by discouraging divorce, infidelity, drinking, and doing drugs and other things that
destroy the home as God would have it.
For the future, Southside will continue to serve the community by dispensing food and clothing
to the less fortunate in our city, reaching to all people regardless of race, color, or language by
special evangelistic efforts.
In God's sight, 100 years is a short time. The work is not finished. May God help the members of
Southside look forward to the challenges ahead in the next 100 years.
|
|
| Significant Dates Remembered |
1855 - The gospel was preached for the first time in Fort Worth by A.M. Dean, farm worker and
preacher by night. The first congregation in Fort Worth consisted of nine members.
1876 - The congregation moved to a new building on the corner of 6th and Throckmorton.
1892 - A small frame building was erected signaling the birth of the Southside congregation. The
first elders were Dr. I.L. Van Zandt, S.C. Jackson, Jim Alderman, W.S. Head, and H.G. Rollings.
1905 - Southside moved to another frame building at the corner of Jennings and Morphy.
1916 - A merger occurred between Southside and the Central-church. A new building was purchased at
the corner of College Avenue and Leuda street. The building was enlarged at this location three
times and in 1945 the membership was listed at 1082 persons.
1959 - Southside moved to its present location at the corner of Hemphill and Hawthorne streets.
1992 - Southside celebrated its 100 years of existence.
1994 - Mrs. O.P.(Margery) Leonard unveiled a Texas State Historical Marker commemorating 100 years
of existence as the Southside Church of Christ.
|
|
|
|
