Our Roots
CONCERNING THE LORD'S CHURCH
Matthew 16:18 - And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Acts 2:47 - Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Romans 16:16 - Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
Ephesians 1:22 - And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.
Ephesians 3:10 - To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.
Ephesians 3:21 - Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 5:23 - For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Saviour of the body.
Ephesians 5:24 - Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.
Ephesians 5:27 - That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.
I Timothy 3:15 - But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
In view of the foregoing scriptures, it is evident that the church of our Lord had its beginning in the 1st century, that it was established by our Lord, and had great purpose. It continues till present day under the headship of our Lord. The Mount Enterprise church of Christ looks to the scriptures for guidance in all matters spiritual.
The congregation of God's people meeting at 204 W. Gregg St. in Mount Enterprise had its beginning in the year 1888 when a young evangelist by the name of J. W. Strode set in motion the events that culminated in the establishment of the Lord's church in this location. He later moved to Appleby, Texas, where he was instrumental in the establishment of the church in that community. He was followed at Mount Enterprise by an evangelist by the name of Brill.
Some of the families who made up that original membership were: Brutens, Westfalls, Maddens, Turners, Stephens, Smith, Woods, Shumates, Frymans, Costons, Beddingfields, Gatlins, Russels, Floyds, Littles, McCrary's, Ballards, Fitts and Lacys. They met and worshipped in the school house.
About the year 1900, several families having moved to "String Town," about three miles west of town, worshipped in the school house known as "Lone Oak."
When the new town of Mount Enterprise was established, most of the members moved also, and met in the home of Mr. & Mrs. C. A. Langford. Later they met in the "Opera House."
In 1911 the first church building was constructed on the site of, and just to the rear of, the present building. The land was donated by the town site company. The labor and materials for the new building was donated by the Langfords.
After the completion of the present building in 1952, the church at "Lone Oak" disbanded and met with the church here.
At that time there were elders: R. H. Coston, W. M. Booker and Dr. A. P. Lacy. The deacons being: J. H. Hilton, J. M. Frymand and J. E. McCrary.
In the early years of the church, some of the preachers who held meetings at the Mount Enterprise church were: C. R. Nichols, W. F. Ledlow, Horace Busby, Frank Cox, Foy E. Wallace, Sr. & Jr., T. W. Phillips, Lee McCrary and J. C. Foster.
It was during the time that J. C. Foster worked full time with the church here that the present building was built. The building committee for the building of the present building consisted of J. S. Craycraft, Boone Lacy, Jerry McCrary, Jack Boles and Charles Ross.
The present preacher for the Mount Enterprise church is Leroy Sedgwick. He and his wife, Mary Lou, moved here in April of 2002 to work full time with the church.
(Perhaps someone can fill us in on the history of the church from the early days until the present time. If you can, we would be most pleased if you would share that history with us. It could be included in future directories, and could enhance this record.)