Our History

Upon moving to Decatur in 1910, the Dr. D.A. Carpenter family and the Bennett family began meeting in the district courtroom at the courthouse. There were 10-12 people in attendance, mostly children.

In 1913, the small congregation had theopportunity to purchase a building on Lane Street for $600.A note was signed for the $600 with Dr. Carpenter making the guarantee. Later, Mrs. Bennett's grandfather from Rhome mailed the congregation a check to pay off the note when he realized this small group was serious about worshipping.

Thechurch moved to a much larger facility on North Trinity street on May 8, 1949, on block north of the square. Construction of this structure was started in 1947. A member of the church who traveled around buying buildings for their lumber bought a structure in Oklahoma, transported it to Decatur, and sold it to the church. Volunteer labor was used for most of the project.

In the middle 50's, the Sycamore Church of Christ combined memberships with Decatur. Early families of the church were the Merlin Gage family, the Jimmy Gage family, Mrs. Minnie Young, the Hayes family, and Mrs. Jess Fields. After moving to Decatur, the Sycamore group took the money in their treasury, sold most of their furnishings and gave it all to the Decatur church. The Sycamore church building was torn down and the lumber was used to build a preacher's home on Shoemaker street.

In 1982, the church moved to it's present location on the corner of Highway 51 and Preskitt Street. Billy Gage, the son of longtime faithful member Ms. Pauline Gage, built the current facility. In 1995, a large 7,000 square foot fellowship hall was added, giving the church much needed classroom space and an area large enough to have member fellowships and youth activities.

On Friday evening, October 12, 2001, the church building was tragically hit by a tornado. There was so much structural damage done to the auditorium, that we had to demolish the building to the slab.

The following is a piece from the Wise County Messenger Update on Monday, October 15, 2001...(used by permission)

"STORM DAMAGE -- Initial damage estimates are placed at $10 million in the Friday night tornado that ripped through Decatur and Paradise. At least seven funnel clouds were reported by weather watchers and law enforcement officials. Miraculously, only two minor injuries were reported. The Wise county Sheriff's Department reported seven homes, four businesses an done government building were destroyed in Decatur. A total of 68 homes were damaged in Decatur, as well as 15 businesses and three government buildings. The hardest hit area in Decatur was in the Lipsey addition west of FM 51 South. Roofs were ripped off and downed power lines and trees littered the streets. Large trees were uprooted. Metal buildings became deadly as they were ripped apart and blown through the air. The home of Leah Lewis at the intersection of John and Garland streets was the most visible sign of the tornado's devastation. Lewis said she was in the house, taking shelter under a recliner, when the tornado hit. The Decatur Church of Christ building on FM 51 South at Preskitt Road was heavily damaged and church members worshipped Sunday at the Decatur Civic Center..."

The other two adjoining buildings (classroom wing & fellowship hall) were deemed structurally sound & fully usable.

The October 12th tornado may have caught us off guard, but we believe God is using this tragedy to triumph.

Though the tornado was a tragedy, God blessed us with a beautiful new facility because of it. We pray that we can use it to His glory.