History of Weslaco Church of Christ
The earliest memory of the church in Weslaco dates back to 1925, when C. D. record preached in a tent meeting. Results of that meeting are unknown, but apparently stirred some interest in the hearts of a few to establish a congregation in the newly developed town. In 1926, a small group began to meet in the Stephan F. Austin School building to worship the lord according to the teachings of the New Testament.
For about two years, until 1928, the congregation met at the school building, with L. H. Brasher as the main preacher, with the help from Steve Williams and Elvin Bost, who preached on part-time basis. In 1928 Brother Dial and Brother L. C. Duncan gave land for the purpose of erecting a meeting house, which was promptly begun. Names of the men who helped with the construction (that can be remembered) are: Dial, L. C. Duncan, E. S. Sandusky, L. H. Brasher, L. F. Martin, and C. E. Sumner. Of this group the Sandusky family moved to Lockney, Texas, L. H. Brasher family to Austin, L. F. Martin and C. E. Sumner families lived in Donna.
The building, located on Kansas Avenue, was completed in February of 1929, and J. D. Boren preached at the first service. The congregation continued to have part time preachers until 1930, when J. D. Boren, a deputy sheriff, became the first full time preacher.
The work grew rapidly and in the 1935 Jack Fikes followed Boren as the preacher in Weslaco. Brother Fikes served until 1943. During the time Jack Fikes preached for the Weslaco congregation, the economy was so bad ( during the depression) the congregation was unable to pay a full time preacher, so Jack held a full time job and preached on Sundays and Wednesday nights. It is remembered by some that he was paid the LARGE sum of $2.50 a week. In some old records, it was found that one year Brother Fikes was in Weslaco, he received the sum of $245. Brother Fikes will be remembered by some, as the preacher that would study all night. Several old timers of the congregation remember Jack because he married them.
The congregation has erected three buildings in its 55 years history. Two located on Kansas Avenue, one built in 1929 and the other in 1946, and the present one constructed on Bridge Avenue in 1973. Our limited research has discovered that the last marriage ceremony in the Kansas Avenue building was uniting Jimmy and Brenda Fojt in holy matrimony. The final prayer in that building was lead by Bennie Brown, who thanked God for every blessing that the congregation, especially his family, had received in the building.
Since moving into the new building in 1973, the congregation had been known as the Bridge Avenue Church of Christ. The congregation was so happy to have a new building, they moved in before the new owes had been delivered.
Folding chairs were out in the auditorium. The first Sunday, October 21, 1973, in the new building the attendance was recorded as: 148 present for Bible Study, 171 for Worship services, 151 for Sunday evening service, 138 for Wednesday evening services------contribution $751.05------66 cars were parked on the parking lot. Donald Mitchell was the first one baptized in the new building.
When the congregation moved from the building on Kansas Avenue, they sold property to the City of Weslaco. It was first used as the Police building, but when new quarters were built for the City Police, the building was given to the City of Weslaco Museum.
Many wonderful people worship here, and many others of like faith have been here and gone.
Perhaps one of the congregations greatest assets is the fire group of young people who worship here. This fact, coupled with our faith in God, helps us look to the future with great hope.
