Western Heights Church of Christ

A Church Dedicated to God

    The fourth oldest restoration church in Texas, Western Heights Church of Christ has a history almost as old as the state itself. Only the churches at Hallsville, Clarksville and McKinney predate the Sherman church.

      Non-denominational in structure, the group reportedly first met in the year 1850 under a brush arbor beside the “Log Cabin Courthouse” near the site of the present courthouse in downtown Sherman.

  No documentation exists of that ‘brush arbor meeting,’ but a written record four years later states that ‘souls were added to the church at Sherman’ – clearly showing that a church was already in existence. The group celebrated its sesquicentennial in May of 2000 with a day of activities.

    In early days the church met wherever space could be found – in homes, store buildings, the Union Church in downtown Sherman, the courthouse, and a lodge hall. Not much information exists as to the fate of the congregation during the Civil War. It is surmised that with many men engaged in fighting in the war that few services could be held. Following the war, services were again being held in downtown Sherman.

    In 1874, the first building owned by the group was built at the corner of Houston and Montgomery streets. In 1907, that building was moved off the lot and a new building erected. For many years, the Houston Street Church of Christ was a presence in the downtown area. The building was later sold and became home to “Locke the Tinner”. It was sold a second time and was known as “The Shirt Shack” until the building burned in 1998.

    In 1920, a brick building was erected at the corner of Walnut and Cherry streets. That building has earned a niche in church history because it was completely paid for before being occupied and at the time of its construction was called the “finest owned by churches of Christ in Texas.” It is a little known fact, but early Christian papers state that the building on Houston Street also was paid for before being occupied.

    Although responsible for planting at least three other congregations in the city, the church remained at this location until 1964 when a building on Travis Street replaced it. In July of 1993 the congregation moved to a new edifice at 800 Baker Park Drive.

    Church supported preachers include T. W. Caskey, John S. Sweeney, B. F. Hall, W. C. Dimmit, J. R. Lucas, H. H. Hamilton, J. H. Lawson, Jesse P. Sewell, A. B. Barret, R. D. Smith, Foy E. Wallace, R. C. Bell, L. S. White, G. C. Brewer, Harvey Scott, J. P. Sanders, Burton Coffman, A. R. Holton, Byron Fullerton, Homer P. Reeves, William Floyd, Bernard Lemmons, Ralph Russell, Don W. Kester, Larry Roberts, Olden Cook, Steve Smith and Joe Ed Furr.

    Since 1983, Joe Ed Furr has been our pulpit minister, the longest tenure of any preacher to date. Rusty Sherry began his work as youth minister in 1987.

    Membership has fluctuated from about 45 in 1874 to more than 650, prior to establishment of other congregations. Currently about 550 persons call Western Heights their home church.

Western Heights’ history includes many ‘firsts’ and ‘onlys.’ Among them:

The famous five-month revival preached by T. B. Larimore with 254 persons baptized,

Summer revivals to standing room only crowds with more than 100 persons added to the fellowship in many such events,

Former ministers who have become presidents of Christian colleges,

Members who have distinguished themselves in service to the Lord,

Paying for the Houston St. building before it was occupied,

Paying for the Walnut St. building before it was occupied,

Paying all indebtedness on the Travis St. building in eight years,

Establishment of a Bible Chair at Grayson County College,

Establishment of new works on Music Street and Grand Avenue,

Establishment of the Woods Street congregation in cooperation with the Grand Avenue church,

Leadership in mission work,

Involvement in county-wide efforts Eight Days of Decision, Let Freedom Ring Through Christ, Directions and We Care Campaigns

A “Challenge Campaign” in 1988 in which more than $754,000 was pledged for the present building,

The payment of all indebtedness on the current building in just three-and-a-half years,

The “Challenge II Campaign” that raised $175,000 to build an educational wing,

The one-day contribution of $79,000 by members added to $50,000 allocated by the eldership in July 2000 to help purchase a building for the Hispanic work,

Contribution of $13,000 in 2001 to provide bibles for Russia,

Contribution of $14,000 in 2003 to help George Funk’s campaigns in Africa,

Contributions in 2005 of $4,300 for Tsunami relief and $23,062 for Hurricane Katrina relief.

Throughout its history, the church now known as Western Heights has demonstrated a love for God and devotion to the truth of the Gospel of Christ that has sustained it through good times and bad. Hearts and hands are bound together to promote Christianity throughout the world.