About Us
The earliest recorded memory of the Church of Christ in Weslaco dates to
1925, when C. D. Record preached a gospel meeting
in a tent.
The results of that meeting are not known, but it apparently stirred interest
among several people in establishing a congregation in the newly developing
town of Weslaco.
By this period, a few Christians were meeting for worship in the
Stephen F. Austin School building.
In 1926, a small group began meeting in the Stephen F. Austin
School building to worship according to the teachings of the New Testament.
Among those associated with this original group were:
Lula Davidson and Nora LaDuke were remembered as charter members who continued
to worship with the congregation many years later.
For approximately two years, the congregation met in the school building.
L. H. Brasher served as the principal preacher, assisted by
Steve D. Williams and Elvin/Elvis Bost,
who preached on a part-time basis.
In 1928, Brother Dial and Brother
L. C. Duncan gave land for the purpose of constructing
a meetinghouse.
Several men helped with the construction, including:
The congregation continued to grow as preparations were made for its first
permanent building.
The first church building on South Kansas Avenue was completed
in February 1929.
J. D. Boren preached the first service in the new building.
The congregation continued to use part-time preachers during this early period.
In approximately 1930, J. D. Boren became
the congregation's first full-time preacher.
At the time, Brother Boren was also a deputy sheriff.
His work marked an important period of growth for the young congregation.
During the early 1930s, Ila Duncan Sewell and her husband,
Jessie Mac Sewell, lived in Weslaco.
Sister Sewell taught a class of teenagers and became remembered for having
a tremendous influence on their lives.
The historical account specifically credits her influence with helping shape
the spiritual lives of several young people, including men who later became
elders of the congregation.
Verda Hightower also became an important influence on the
congregation.
She taught the ladies' Bible class for several years and was remembered as
an exceptional Bible teacher whose influence extended to both younger and
older women.
These two women represent an important part of the spiritual heritage of
the Weslaco congregation.
In 1935, Jack Fikes followed J. D. Boren
as preacher in Weslaco.
Brother Fikes served until 1943.
Because of the difficult economic conditions during the Depression, the
congregation was unable to support a full-time preacher. Brother Fikes
therefore maintained a full-time secular job while preaching on Sundays
and Wednesday nights.
The historical account recalls that he was paid approximately
$2.50 per week, and one year's records showed that he received
a total of $245.
Brother Fikes was remembered as a dedicated student of Scripture who sometimes
studied throughout the night. He also performed numerous marriage ceremonies
for members of the congregation.
Brother Fikes later passed away. His wife, Inez, was living
in Troup, Texas when the original history was written.
M. R. Phillips came to Weslaco in 1943
and served as minister until 1945.
The original Homecoming account notes that Brother Phillips and his wife
were present for the celebration and were living in Burnet, Texas at that time.
Erwin Driscol followed M. R. Phillips.
Brother Driscol preached in Weslaco from approximately 1945 to 1947.
During this period, the congregation had grown substantially. The historical
account states that membership had reached approximately 85.
A new building was constructed at the original
549 South Kansas Avenue location.
The historical account gives 1946 as the completion date.
The original building was sold and moved to Missouri Street, where it was
remodeled into an apartment house. That building was eventually demolished,
and the property became a parking area.
The newer church building remained at the Kansas Avenue location until the
congregation later moved to Bridge Avenue.
Carl Hecker moved to Weslaco in 1947.
Brother Hecker had served in the Air Force and was stationed at Harlingen
Air Base. During his military service, he had studied with
Harrison Mathews and was baptized.
He served the Weslaco congregation from approximately
1947 to 1949.
After leaving Weslaco, Brother Hecker worked with a boys' home in Italy
and later preached for the congregation in Moore, Oklahoma.
Jack Mackey was associated with the Weslaco congregation
during the late 1940s and served until 1952.
Before giving himself fully to preaching, Brother Mackey had worked with
the FBI in Brownsville and preached part-time for congregations
in the Brownsville area.
In 1947, he resigned from the Bureau to devote himself
to preaching full time. Our newspaper made the statement:
Brother Mackey later moved to Amarillo, Texas.
He and his wife, Edna, were later killed in a plane crash
in the mountains of New Mexico while traveling to a church meeting.
During the late 1940s, elders E. Meek
and R. E. Gary invited R. N. Hogan
to Weslaco for a gospel meeting.
Several people were baptized as a result.
A congregation for the Black brethren was subsequently
established.
Brother R. E. Gary spent several years teaching and preaching with this group,
often going to their Bible class after teaching at the main congregation.
The group continued meeting in its own building on Cantu Street.
An eldership was established in the late 1930s, according
to the Homecoming history.
The early elders included: The congregation also had men serving as deacons, including:
After Brother Meek's death, the congregation was without elders for a period.
In the early 1950s, Flavil Yeakley helped
the congregation reorganize its leadership.
The Spanish-speaking congregation in Weslaco began in the
early 1950s.
Bill Reeves became the first full-time preacher for the
Spanish-speaking congregation.
For approximately one year, the group met in the
large red barn on the Brixey farm.
Brothers Wayne Bracken, Pete Smith, and Barney Brixey
helped by gathering farm workers and neighbors and bringing them to services.
Several people were baptized, and the Spanish-speaking congregation was
established.
Money was raised to purchase property near
First Street and Sinclair in Weslaco.
A building was erected there for the Spanish-speaking congregation.
The group experienced difficulties as some members moved away and others
began worshiping with another congregation.
Despite these challenges, the work produced lasting results.
Several young men from this early Spanish-speaking group eventually went
to Torreón, Mexico, to attend preacher training.
They eventually became gospel preachers.
Placido Santillan and his father also became involved in
Christian work after coming from Mexico.
The historical account notes that many of these men arrived in the United
States unable to speak English, but learned the language quickly through
schooling.
Flavil Yeakley came to Weslaco in 1953
and preached until 1957.
Brother Yeakley had extensive experience in radio work and became particularly
known for helping congregations experiencing difficulties and assisting them
in becoming organized.
William Cunningham served in Weslaco during
1964–1965.
The Homecoming history later recorded that Brother Cunningham had retired
because of his health and was living with his wife in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
By the early 1970s, the congregation had outgrown the Kansas Avenue building.
Members purchased bonds to help finance construction of
a new building at:
According to information provided by sister Karen Heilman in 2024,
Leon Campbell later paid off all of the loans associated
with the new building.
The new property also included a preacher's home, or parsonage.
Dwight Schreiner oversaw construction of the new church
building.
His brother, Leo Schreiner, served as a deacon.
Dwight and Leo Schreiner were the first people to live in the new parsonage.
The congregation moved into the new Bridge Avenue building
in 1973.
From that time forward, it became known as the
Bridge Avenue Church of Christ.
The congregation was so eager to occupy the new building that it moved in
before the new pews arrived. Folding chairs were temporarily placed in
the auditorium.
The first Sunday in the new building was
October 21, 1973.
The congregation's final building on Kansas Avenue was eventually sold to
the City of Weslaco.
The building was initially used as a police building. After the police
department moved to new quarters, the building was given to the
City of Weslaco Museum.
The historical record states that the last marriage ceremony held there
was the wedding of Jimmy and Brenda Fojt.
The final prayer in the building was led by Bennie Brown,
who thanked God for the blessings the congregation and the Fojt family
had received there.
During this period the congregation continued to grow and develop its
ministries.
The Spanish-speaking congregation eventually moved from its North Weslaco
location and began meeting at the Bridge Avenue property.
The Spanish-speaking work was served at various times by:
The Spanish-speaking congregation operated under the oversight of the
Weslaco elders.
Brother Gary passed away in March 1979.
He had played a major role in the congregation's leadership and in the work
among the Black brethren.
Brother Brixey passed away in May 1979.
He had been involved in the congregation's early leadership and in the
establishment of the Spanish-speaking work.
Bill Roach came to Weslaco in 1980
after serving several years with the police force in McAllen.
Before coming to Weslaco, he had served as a deacon in the church in
Pharr, Texas.
Guy Orbison served in Weslaco for approximately four years
before moving to Nocona, Texas, in 1980.
He continued preaching there.
Much of the historical material in this document was written
circa 1984 for a Homecoming Celebration.
The congregation's history at that time represented approximately
55 years of congregational life, beginning with the first
permanent building in 1929 and continuing through the move to Bridge Avenue
in 1973.
The historical account reflected on the congregation's growth, challenges,
memorable events, evangelistic work, leadership, and the many people who
had helped build the congregation.
The Spanish-speaking work has been an important part of the history of
the Weslaco congregation.
Brother Joe Brooks preached for the Spanish-speaking
congregation until his retirement.
He also served as an elder of the congregation while in Weslaco.
Homer Mathis followed Brother Brooks but eventually had
to leave the Valley because of his health.
Oscar Gonzales subsequently served the Spanish-speaking group.
Salvador Santillan, who had also served as a deacon in Pharr,
later became the minister for the Spanish-speaking congregation.
Throughout its history, the Weslaco congregation has supported evangelistic
and benevolent efforts.
The historical account specifically mentions support for:
The congregation has also maintained a strong emphasis on young people
and Bible education.
The Homecoming history also preserved several humorous memories from the
congregation's past.
One Bible class teacher reportedly taught that
Cornelius, the centurion of the Italian band, belonged
to a musical group.
Another teacher told young girls that wearing pajamas was sinful because
they were men's clothing.
Perhaps the most memorable mix-up of all was doubly funny because of the solemn occasion.
A newly ordained elder was making his first talk to the church, discussing the challenges they faced as a congregation,
and in order to firmly imprint his request on their minds he had earlier asked a boy to write the word “HELP” on the back side of a flip over chalkboard.
Well, the boy misunderstood the word, and as the elder seriously asked the congregation to give him just one thing as an elder, he flipped over the board,
expecting to reveal the word “HELP,” . the word which he saw (a different word) caused him to lose his composure and ability to talk for a few miserable minutes.
However, in discussing this with the former elder ( he no longer lives here)
he admitted that some of the members gave him just what he had asked for.
These stories illustrate not only the humor of the congregation's history
but also the close relationships and memories shared by generations of
its members.
In 2018, Weslaco experienced a major flood.
The Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team came to
Weslaco to assist the congregation and local residents with cleanup efforts. Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort sent two truck loads of food and cleaning supplies to be distributed to the community.
They later sent a truckload of furniture for residents affected by the natural disaster.
Among those volunteers was Daniel Odiorne, son of Warren
and Cindy Odiorne.
Daniel is a youth minister in Texas.
This event became another example of the congregation's connection with
the larger Churches of Christ and its commitment to helping the community.
In 2024, Karen Heilman provided additional information
to supplement the original Homecoming history.
Members in the early 1970s purchased bonds to help finance construction
of the building at 1220 South Bridge Avenue.
Later, member Leon Campbell paid off all the loans.
The first funeral held in the new Bridge Avenue building was for
Dwight Schreiner, who was 29 years old.
Dwight was a volunteer firefighter and had overseen construction of the
new church building.
His brother Leo Schreiner was a deacon.
Dwight and Leo were the first people to live in the new parsonage.
Cary Gillis served as pulpit minister of the congregation
from 2009 through 2022. Cary left Weslaco to become the Minister of Foreign Missions and Director for Latin American Missions at Forrest Park church of Christ in Valdosta, Georgia.
Braulio Carvajal served as pulpit minister from
2024 through 2026. Braulio retired from his job in goverment to serve as minister after Cary left. He stepped down from the position, but continues to serve as Deacon.
Christian Joyner became pulpit minister in
2026 and is presently serving the congregation. Christian is a graduate of Sunset School of Biblical Studies. He and his wife Nanci have been lovingly welcomed by the church.
1929
549 South Kansas Avenue
Completed in February 1929.
1946
549 South Kansas Avenue
Constructed as the congregation grew to approximately 85 members.
1973
1220 South Bridge Avenue
The congregation moved into the building in October 1973.
From a small group meeting in a school building in the 1920s, the Church of
Christ in Weslaco grew into a congregation with its own meetinghouse,
multiple generations of elders and deacons, a Spanish-speaking ministry,
evangelistic efforts, youth programs, and community outreach.
The congregation's history is not simply a record of buildings and preachers.
It is the story of generations of Christians who taught, preached,
served, sacrificed, raised families, helped their neighbors, and passed
their faith on to others.
The names recorded in this history represent only a portion of those who
have contributed to the work.
The congregation has experienced seasons of growth and difficulty, but the
historical record repeatedly points back to the same foundation:
faith in God, commitment to Scripture, and the willingness of
ordinary Christians to serve.
From the tent meeting of 1925, through the schoolhouse
meetings, the Kansas Avenue buildings, the move to Bridge Avenue in
1973, the flood relief work of 2018,
and into the present day, the church in Weslaco continues the work begun
by those early Christians.
1925 — The Beginning in Weslaco
1926 — A Small Congregation Begins Meeting
1928 — Land Given for a Meetinghouse
1929 — First Church Building Completed
549 South Kansas Avenue
Weslaco, Texas
1930 — J. D. Boren Becomes Full-Time Preacher
Early 1930s — The Influence of Christian Women
Ila Duncan Sewell
Verda Hightower
1935–1943 — Jack Fikes
1943–1945 — M. R. Phillips
1945–1947 — Erwin Driscol and a New Building
Construction of the Second Kansas Avenue Building
1947–1949 — Carl Hecker
1947–1952 — Jack Mackey
“Jack Mackey puts down his gun and takes up the Bible.”
The original historical material contains a chronological inconsistency
concerning the dates of Jack Mackey's service. Rather than silently correcting
it, the dates should be verified against church records before publication
in a formal history.
Late 1940s — Gospel Work Among Black Brethren
Late 1930s–1950s — Early Eldership
Early 1950s — Reorganization
Early 1950s — Beginning of the Spanish-Speaking Work
Bill Reeves
Early 1950s — Spanish Congregation Gets Its Own Building
1953–1957 — Flavil Yeakley
1964–1965 — William Cunningham
Early 1970s — Preparing for a New Building
Weslaco, Texas
1973 — Bridge Avenue Church of Christ
First Sunday — October 21, 1973
Service
Attendance
Bible Study
148
Morning Worship
171
Sunday Evening
151
Wednesday Evening
138
Cars in parking lot: 66
First person baptized: Donald Mitchell
1973 — The Final Service in the Kansas Avenue Building
1970s–1980s — A Growing Congregation
1979 — Loss of Two Longtime Leaders
R. E. Gary
Barney Brixey
1980 — Bill Roach
1980 — Guy Orbison
Circa 1984 — Homecoming Celebration
The Spanish-Speaking Congregation
Joe Brooks
Homer Mathis
Oscar Gonzales
Salvador Santillan
Evangelistic Work and Missions
Important Memories from the Early Congregation
2018 — Weslaco Flood
2024 — Additional Historical Information
Financing the Bridge Avenue Building
Dwight Schreiner
2009–2022 — Cary Gillis
2024–2026 — Braulio Carvajal
2026–Present — Christian Joyner
Pulpit Ministers — Past and Present
Several early dates in the supplied records differ slightly from one another.
The ministerial list should therefore be treated as a working chronology
until the original church records, directories, or meeting reports are checked.
Men Who Have Served as Elders
Men Who Have Served as Deacons
Three Principal Church Buildings
1. Kansas Avenue — First Building
Weslaco, Texas
2. Kansas Avenue — Second Building
Weslaco, Texas
3. Bridge Avenue — Present Building
Weslaco, Texas
A Legacy of Faith
Kansas Avenue Building