1. Bethany Christian Church A Historical Perspective

2. In the Beginning … The First Disciples Services Held at 115 Main in Dr. J.R. Throckmorton’s Office

3. In the Beginning … 1870 – first Houston Disciples worship service in Dr. Throckmorton’s office 1885 – first Disciple Minister Called 1890 – land purchased for first church

4. Central Christian Church First Permanent Church Building Located at Intersection of Capitol and Caroline

5. First Christian Church Name Changed to First Christian in April, 1916 Located at Southeast Corner of Main and Bell

6. South End Christian Church Dedicated in May, 1915 Located on SE Corner of Brazos and McGowen

7. South End Christian Church Dedicated November 14, 1920 Located at Main, Travis, Isabella and W. Main

8. The Ministers of South End 1915 -- Dr. W.S. Lockhart 1918 -- Dr. E.A. Ewell 1921 -- Dr. William D. Ryan 1929 -- Dr. W.S. Lockhart 1931 -- Dr. Charles B. Mohle 1936 -- Dr. J. Kinney O’Heeron 1939 -- Dr. Carter E. Boren 1942 -- Dr. E.R. McWilliams 1945 -- Dr. Elmer D. Henson

9. The Road to Bethany Dr. Throckmorton’s Offices – 1870 115 Main St Central Christian -- 1890 Capitol & Caroline First Christian – 1916 Main St & Bell St South End – 1915 Brazos St & McGowen St South End – 1920 Main/Isabella/Travis/W Main Bethany Christian – 1947 3223 Westheimer Road

10. The Start of a New Church Dr. Henson at Groundbreaking Ceremony for Bethany Christian Church - March 31, 1946

11. A Work in Progress

12. Open for Worship First Worship Service – October 19, 1947 Church Dedication – February 8, 1948

13. The Sr. Ministers of Bethany Dr. Elmer D. Henson 1945 - 1955 Dr. Lewis McAdow 1955 - 1974 Dr. J. Daniel Joyce 1974 - 1980 Rev. Joe Lacy 1980 - 1995 Dr. Earl Bissex 1964 – 1971 Rev. Mike Weinman Intentional Interim - 2002 Rev. Roy Tomlinson Interim 1996 Rev. Brad Stagg 2002 – Present Rev. Tommy Thompson 1996 – 2002

14. Associate Ministers 1953 – 56Rev. Sam F. Smith 1956 – 57Rev. Myron McKittrick 1958 – 60Rev. Roy M. Turner 1960 – 64Rev. James W. Lambert 1971 – **Dr. William E. Dorman 1976 – 78** Rev. Steve Church 1980 – **Rev. Jerry Kirkpatrick 1982 – 84Rev. Timothy C. Diebel 1985 – 87Rev. John H. Sperling 1987 - 88Rev. Thomas L. Lee 1996 - 2002Rev. Brad Stagg 2006 - PresentRev. Hershel Moore, Senior Associate ** Still confirming dates

15. Music Directors Kay Fischer Tony Carroll Bryon Jennings Robert Hammitt Tom Crow

16. Bethany’s Timothies Rev. Dan Morgan Rev. Roy Tomlinson Rev. Howard E. Grant Jr. Mrs. Danny Owen (Sandra Drago) Mrs. Tracey Hopper (Dorothy Tomlinson) Rev. Jerry Arthur Beck Mr. Milton Grasty Rev. Emily Suzanne Demme Rev. Robert Scott Arnold

17. Bethany’s Building Additions 1947 – Church Opens 1955 – West Transept, Children's Building and Gym Added 1958 – East Transept added and parking lot expanded 1965 – Offices expanded, additional class rooms, parlor added Parking Lot

18. The Current Building

19. Early Houston Christian Churches 1890Central Christian Church Early 1900’sSecond Christian Church 1908Heights Christian Church 1915South End Christian Church 1916Magnolia Avenue Christian Church 1930Grove Street Christian Church 1935Woodland Christian Church 1938Broadmoor Christian Church 1947Park Side Christian Church (Galena Park) 1947Bethany Christian Church (formerly South End) 1948Central Christian Church (Pasadena) 1950Oaks Christian Church 1953Fellowship Christian Church 1952Bellaire Christian Church 1967Memorial Drive Christian Church

20. What Disciples Believe Like most Christians, Disciples Affirm: Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God, All persons are God's children Beliefs and practices usually associated with Disciples include: Open Communion. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion is celebrated in weekly worship. It is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Freedom of belief. Disciples are called together around one essential of faith: belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Persons are free to follow their consciences guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit study and prayer, and are expected to extend that freedom to others. Baptism by immersion. In baptism the old self-centered life is set aside, and a new life of trust in God begins. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion, other baptism traditions are honored. Belief in the oneness of the church. All Christians are called to be one in Christ and to seek opportunities for common witness and service. The ministry of believers. Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship, service and spiritual growth.

21. Disciples Educational Institutions Universities and Colleges Barton College – in Wilson, North Carolina Bethany College – in Bethany, West Virginia Chapman University – in Orange, California Columbia College – in Columbia, Missouri Culver-Stockton College – in Canton, Missouri Drury University – in Springfield, Missouri Eureka College – in Eureka, Illinois Hiram College – in Hiram, Ohio Jarvis Christian College – in Hawkins, Texas Lynchburg College – in Lynchburg, Virginia Midway College – in Midway, Kentucky Northwest Christian College – in Eugene, Oregon Texas Christian University – in Fort Worth, Texas Transylvania University – in Lexington, Kentucky William Woods University – in Fulton, Missouri Seminaries Brite Divinity School – in Fort Worth, Texas Christian Theological Seminary – in Indianapolis, Indiana Lexington Theological Seminary – in Lexington, Kentucky Phillips Theological Seminary – in Tulsa, Oklahoma Seminario Evangelico de Puerto Rico - in San Juan, Puerto Rico

22. Famous Disciples Members Ross S. Sterling Founding Member of South End Governor of Texas Colonel Harland Sanders Founder, Kentucky Fried Chicken Janis Joplin Singer, Port Arthur Native James A. Garfiield 20 th U.S. President Ordained Disciple Minister Ronald Reagan 40 th U.S. President Grew Up DOC Attended Eureka College Lyndon Baines Johnson 37 th U.S. President Attended National City Christian Church W.H. “Boss” Hoover Founder of The Hoover Co Ordained Minister Jim Jones Leader of the Peoples Temple In Jonestown, Guyana Ordained Disciples Minister Fellowship under review at time of Jonestown tradgegy Frances McDormand Oscar-Winning Actress; Fargo, 1996 John Stamos Actor James Clark McReynolds U.S. Supreme Court Justice 1914 - 1941