"We Love Because He first Loved us.
I John 4:19

Church of Christ

Rosebud, Texas

1897 - Present

    

     C.W. Sewell, a preacher of the Church of Christ, came to Rosebud the Spring of 1897 and conducted a "protracted meeting" (it lasted several weeks) in a tent. During that meeting the Church of Christ in Rosebud was organized. Charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. Joe M. Cone, Mrs. M.E. Sewell, Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Gott, Mr. and Mrs. M.F. Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Tarver, Mrs. Mollie McCullough, and Miss Rosa Howard. Joe M. Cone and M.F.. Jackson were appointed Elders with J.E. Tarver and J.P. Gott serving as deacons.

    

     This small group met in the various homes until a building was erected and completed in the Spring of 1900 on the lots located at the corner of Main and Second Street.

    

     Following completion of the building Minister J.K. Lane donated his services that summer when he preached for the first of many meetings that were held in the church building. The original building (with one addition) served the congregation until the present edifice was erected December 15, 1961. Upon the death of M.F. Jackson the addition to the building in 1900 was made when the land upon which the Jackson home was bequeathed to the Church of Christ.

    

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

     When the cornerstone of the present building was placed, there were 88 members with the church growing in grace and membership. Elders at that time were: F.P. Boyd, Charles E. Collins, J.M. Cone, H.P. Linn Carl Mathews, and W.T. Roper, and the Deacons: Ben Burns, Jesse Davis, Bennie Downs, Jere McDonald, and Jack Sweeten. Raymond Morgan was the Minister.

    

     Until the late 1930's there was no baptistry in the building so when there was a convert, usually they were baptised either in the Oil Mill Tank in the West End of Rosebud, or in the City Lake, that at the time was located in the North End of town close to where the water tower now stands. It is not known at what time a baptistry was built and installed by Dan Asbury, tinsmith.

    

     Most of the noted preachers of the Gospel from throughout the States at one time or another held meetings and/or revivals at the Rosebud Church. Most of the hymn writers from the early days of the States and particularly of Texas also visited Rosebud and were conversant with many concerning that phase of teaching and preaching of the Bible - not only that, since most of the early members were not students of music - written notes - all the songs of the church were published with shaped notes so that readily the song leader would know on which note to start just by the shape of the note, so the song writers taught singing and music as well as preaching all at the same time. Although no instruments of music are used in the worship services of the church, some of the song leaders at one time or another, would use a "pitch fork" to find the first note of the song they were leading.

    

     Back to the Bible, doing Bible things in Bible ways, speaking where the Bible speaks and keeping silent where the Bible is silent are principles that remain true to this day. Not only were the people from within the city limits in attendance; other people from as far around the town as possible to walk, ride a horse, drive a buggy, or a wagon and come to town and stay for weeks at a time just to attend the meetings.

    

     Not only was there Bible study that was attended by all who could, there also was singing that attracted nearly everyone. There were duets, quartets, octets, "specials" and groups singing their favorites. When there was a meeting or a singing scheduled, people not living within Rosebud would fill their lunch baskets with food and during, as well as bringing "something to sleep on" so they could enjoy more than one day - it took too long to travel and the time was precious to everyone For these as well as for all who came,  there always was an open invitation to go to the various homes of members and friends to talk, discuss, sing, eat and sleep.

   

       Communion (the Lord's Supper) was eaten each first day of the week - on Sunday. Ingredients for the supper were unleavened bread and the "Fruit of the vine" - grape juice. At various times the bread was made in the ovens of the members - usually being wheat flour and water mixed thinly and baked in an oven - then, Matzos (the unleavened bread of the Jewish Religion) would be available some of the time during the year. So, the kind of unleavened bread at the beginning of the church in Rosebud depended somewhat upon the time of the year. In the beginning grape juice was put up by members of the congregation, but about the time that started turning into wine, Welch's started selling their concord grape juice and that was used.

    

     As time and member ages advance we have become a much smaller congregation of less than 50 members. We, however, are active in the community and mission support. We truly and lovingly welcome all who believe that God is our creator and that there is everlasting life in the belief of Jesus Christ.