Services
We meet Sundays: 10:00 a.m. for Bible Class and 11:00 a.m. for Worship.
We are located three miles south of Colorado City, Texas on Highway 163.
Everyone is welcome to worship with us regardless of religious affiliation.
History
We meet in the historic Plainview Church building built in 1908. Originally, this was the home of the Plainview community's Baptist church. Several years ago, these good folks decided to sell their building to the members of the Church of Christ. Many of the descendants of the original founding families still live in the area. From my research their last names are Shurtleff, Howell, Vest and Kelly.
We meet Sundays: 10:00 a.m. for Bible Class and 11:00 a.m. for Worship.
We are located three miles south of Colorado City, Texas on Highway 163.
Everyone is welcome to worship with us regardless of religious affiliation.
History
We meet in the historic Plainview Church building built in 1908. Originally, this was the home of the Plainview community's Baptist church. Several years ago, these good folks decided to sell their building to the members of the Church of Christ. Many of the descendants of the original founding families still live in the area. From my research their last names are Shurtleff, Howell, Vest and Kelly.
The Plainview Church of Christ first met in downtown Colorado City and was known as the "Downtown Church of Christ." Originally, the congregation worshipped in the old Radio Shack building. The congregation began in approximately 1988. About 1998, the congregation purchased the historic Plainview church building and began meeting there.
The article below appeared in an edited version in the October 4, 2012 issue of the Colorado Record (Colorado City's weekly newspaper).
The Other Plainview
By Larry Fitzgerald
Whenever you mention the name, Plainview, most Texas think of the city in between Lubbock and Amarillo. However, it might surprise you the panhandle town wasn’t the first to lay claim to the name. In fact, there are numerous unincorporated communities throughout the Lone Star State called “Plainview.”
One such community is three miles south of Colorado City. The Plainview of Mitchell County once boasted a blacksmith shop, a school and a church and several small ranches. While records are sketchy, it appears that the community existed in the mid to late 1800s. We know in 1898, Bob and Betty Gary purchased a small ranch “in the Plainview Community where the current Morgan Creek Power Plant is now located.”* This indicates that the Plainview community was thriving before 1898 and was commonly known in the area.
As Plainview approached the beginning of the 20th century, the area’s population began to grow as “numerous families began to move in the Plainview Community.” Among them was a widow identified as Mrs. R.F. Franklin. Soon, a schoolhouse was constructed upon the land she donated for the cause. Records differ when the school began. According to The Centennial Book, the school began in 1908. However, the state historical plaque found at the school’s location indicates the school was meeting in 1906 (perhaps in a home or barn).** Either way, a building was constructed in 1908. And, a Baptist church was formed and began to meet in the school building the same year. According to the plaque, the Baptist Congregation shared the building with a Methodist group – alternating Sundays for their worship services.
The school didn’t last long at the site. In 1916, the Plainview school merged with the Dorn Union School. The Baptist church acquired the building and continued to meet at the Plainview location. In 1948, the old wood frame building was torn down and in its place a brick church house was erected. Two years later, the membership increased as the Spade Baptist Church disbanded and many of its members joined the Plainview congregation.
The church did well for many years; however, as it approached the 21st century, membership dwindled down to less than 10. Then, in 1998, the congregation voted to disband and sell the property to the Downtown Church of Christ of Colorado City. Ten years prior, this congregation met in rented facilities. Known to local residents, as “the old Radio Shack building,” its facilities were less than ideal for the little Church of Christ.***
In 1998, the Plainview building was slightly remodeled and once again a group of people began worshipping at the location. An interesting note about the two congregations is the late Harry Dockery was listed as a “charter member” of the Plainview Baptist Church while his brother, the late Beeman Dockery, was a charter member of the Plainview Church of Christ. Both were in attendance at the church’s 100th anniversary event in 2008.
In its 24 years of existence, the Plainview/Downtown Church of Christ has had 18 men to serve as either pulpit or associate ministers. All worked part-time. The longest tenured preacher was Dr. Larry Fitzgerald, who served the congregation from February 2008-July 2013 (5 1/2 years).***
You can see the historical Plainview Church building by taking Highway 163 (Sterling City Highway) south of Colorado City. Just before you reach the Morgan Creek Power Plant by Lake Colorado City, the church building is on the west side of the road. It is approximately three minutes drive from town.
As you drive by, image horse-drawn wagons and buggies bringing their young children to school over a century ago.
_____
Sources:
*All quotes come from The Centennial Book, 1981, printed by Bob Dennis Printing Co., Colorado City, Texas, pages 21-23.
**The state historical plaque located on the front of the Plainview church building has additional information.
***Information about the beginnings of the Downtown Church of Christ (of Colorado City) came from an interview of long-time church member, Mike Hemphill.
Preachers and Youth Ministers who have served the Plainview congregation ...
Below is a list of the former ministers of the congregation. Many were students at Abilene Christian University.
Minister Years served our congregation
R. Shane McWatters .......1988
Jason Locke ..................1989-90
Toby Osborn .................1990-91
Brent McCall .................1991-93*
Mark LaValley ...............1992-93
Adrian Blow ..................1993-95
Jackie Qualls .................1995-97
Ryan Jessup ..................1996-97
Brent McCall .................1997-98*
Jeremy Harrison ............1997-99
R. Shane McWatters .......1998
Beau Bennett ................1999-2000
Joey Rogers ..................2001
Tommy L. Allison ...........2000-2004
John Mark Davidson .......2004
Mark Clancy .................2004-2007
Zachary Sewell..............2007-2008
Larry Fitzgerald .............2008-2013
Mike Bailey ....................2013-current
Note: Brent McCall served two terms, 1991-93, 97-98
Also served, dates indeterminate
Joel Osborn
The article below appeared in an edited version in the October 4, 2012 issue of the Colorado Record (Colorado City's weekly newspaper).
The Other Plainview
By Larry Fitzgerald
Whenever you mention the name, Plainview, most Texas think of the city in between Lubbock and Amarillo. However, it might surprise you the panhandle town wasn’t the first to lay claim to the name. In fact, there are numerous unincorporated communities throughout the Lone Star State called “Plainview.”
One such community is three miles south of Colorado City. The Plainview of Mitchell County once boasted a blacksmith shop, a school and a church and several small ranches. While records are sketchy, it appears that the community existed in the mid to late 1800s. We know in 1898, Bob and Betty Gary purchased a small ranch “in the Plainview Community where the current Morgan Creek Power Plant is now located.”* This indicates that the Plainview community was thriving before 1898 and was commonly known in the area.
As Plainview approached the beginning of the 20th century, the area’s population began to grow as “numerous families began to move in the Plainview Community.” Among them was a widow identified as Mrs. R.F. Franklin. Soon, a schoolhouse was constructed upon the land she donated for the cause. Records differ when the school began. According to The Centennial Book, the school began in 1908. However, the state historical plaque found at the school’s location indicates the school was meeting in 1906 (perhaps in a home or barn).** Either way, a building was constructed in 1908. And, a Baptist church was formed and began to meet in the school building the same year. According to the plaque, the Baptist Congregation shared the building with a Methodist group – alternating Sundays for their worship services.
The school didn’t last long at the site. In 1916, the Plainview school merged with the Dorn Union School. The Baptist church acquired the building and continued to meet at the Plainview location. In 1948, the old wood frame building was torn down and in its place a brick church house was erected. Two years later, the membership increased as the Spade Baptist Church disbanded and many of its members joined the Plainview congregation.
The church did well for many years; however, as it approached the 21st century, membership dwindled down to less than 10. Then, in 1998, the congregation voted to disband and sell the property to the Downtown Church of Christ of Colorado City. Ten years prior, this congregation met in rented facilities. Known to local residents, as “the old Radio Shack building,” its facilities were less than ideal for the little Church of Christ.***
In 1998, the Plainview building was slightly remodeled and once again a group of people began worshipping at the location. An interesting note about the two congregations is the late Harry Dockery was listed as a “charter member” of the Plainview Baptist Church while his brother, the late Beeman Dockery, was a charter member of the Plainview Church of Christ. Both were in attendance at the church’s 100th anniversary event in 2008.
In its 24 years of existence, the Plainview/Downtown Church of Christ has had 18 men to serve as either pulpit or associate ministers. All worked part-time. The longest tenured preacher was Dr. Larry Fitzgerald, who served the congregation from February 2008-July 2013 (5 1/2 years).***
You can see the historical Plainview Church building by taking Highway 163 (Sterling City Highway) south of Colorado City. Just before you reach the Morgan Creek Power Plant by Lake Colorado City, the church building is on the west side of the road. It is approximately three minutes drive from town.
As you drive by, image horse-drawn wagons and buggies bringing their young children to school over a century ago.
_____
Sources:
*All quotes come from The Centennial Book, 1981, printed by Bob Dennis Printing Co., Colorado City, Texas, pages 21-23.
**The state historical plaque located on the front of the Plainview church building has additional information.
***Information about the beginnings of the Downtown Church of Christ (of Colorado City) came from an interview of long-time church member, Mike Hemphill.
Preachers and Youth Ministers who have served the Plainview congregation ...
Below is a list of the former ministers of the congregation. Many were students at Abilene Christian University.
Minister Years served our congregation
R. Shane McWatters .......1988
Jason Locke ..................1989-90
Toby Osborn .................1990-91
Brent McCall .................1991-93*
Mark LaValley ...............1992-93
Adrian Blow ..................1993-95
Jackie Qualls .................1995-97
Ryan Jessup ..................1996-97
Brent McCall .................1997-98*
Jeremy Harrison ............1997-99
R. Shane McWatters .......1998
Beau Bennett ................1999-2000
Joey Rogers ..................2001
Tommy L. Allison ...........2000-2004
John Mark Davidson .......2004
Mark Clancy .................2004-2007
Zachary Sewell..............2007-2008
Larry Fitzgerald .............2008-2013
Mike Bailey ....................2013-current
Note: Brent McCall served two terms, 1991-93, 97-98
Also served, dates indeterminate
Joel Osborn