By Larry Ivery, Sr.
The Church of Christ was established in Chester County a few years after the Baptist and Methodist Churches. The pioneer members heard and accepted the teachings that Marshal Keeble presented and were baptized. This resulted in the establishment of the Oak Grove Church of Christ.
Presently, there are three congregations of Churches of Christ here in Chester County – each having its own rich and wonderful histories. Two of the congregations have reached the milestone of 100 years while the third is only 20 years old. Although the ancestors have left us here on this earth, they left legacies, as well as histories, to perpetuate both the beginnings and legacy of the congregations.
Reading the histories and talking with long-time members of these congregations helps in understanding the healthy pride they have for the local Church with which they are associated. These Church of Christ congregations are Oak Grove, North Henderson (Lucyville) and Church of Christ at Church Street.
Oakgrove Church of Christ – The Oak Grove Church of Christ had its beginnings in July 1917. Bose and Parthenia Croom are credited with speaking with N. B. Hardeman, of the now Freed-Hardeman University, to secure the services of the renowned African American minister of the Church of Christ, Marshal Keeble. Keeble was a traveling evangelist and had the charge of planting new congregations but not with developing those plant-Churches.
Keeble wrote:
“I went to Henderson, Tenn., and began a meeting on the third Lord’s day in July. This is a new field. When I went there two years ago, I found just four members—old Brother Crooms and his family—and baptized seven more. First preaching was done in the home of ‘Uncle Bose’ and ‘Aunt’ Parthenia Croom. This time the interest was great. Sixty-nine were baptized. Eighty-four made the confession which leaves fifteen yet to be baptized. Very nearly all of these came from the Baptists and Methodists.”
This congregation began under brush-harbor and eventually built a building. They did not have the preaching services every Sunday but met every week for Bible study and singing. Oak Grove, a country Church, was at the time one of the largest congregations among Black brothers and was one of the best singing Churches in the brotherhood. There is a rich history of the singing at all the Black Churches here in Chester County.
The initial building burned in the late 50’s and another worship house was built in 1960. The congregation hosts their annual gospel meeting (revival) annually on their anniversary date, the third week in July. The meetings were two-weeks up until the mid-1980’s at which time, the minister John Marshall, convinced the brothers to reduce the meeting to one-week. The meetings are now four days.
One of the older members, Brother E. T. Ross, shared that in the 1920’s the congregation had some strong differences of opinion and consulted Bro. Keeble. Brother Keeble suggested that a congregation be established in town. It is from this recommendation that the second congregation of African Americans was established. Oak Grove constructed a new building in 2007 and continues their work in the Oak Grove community today. The congregation has a cemetery between the old and new buildings. The new building, which is the largest and newest, among all Black Churches, was completed in 2007.
North Henderson Church of Christ – The North Henderson congregation was established September 18, 1923. It was located on Beechwood, not too far from J P Baptist. The written record stated, “brother Bose and sister Parthenia Croom along with Dell and Eddie Trice, saw the need for a Church in the Lucyville community. In 1923, Mrs. Della Trice allowed Bro. Keeble to preach from her porch because there was no building. She and two others were baptized.
In 1925 brother Brodie Hardeman gave the community land to build a building. This building was on Beechwood. The congregation had consistent growth over the years it was on Beechwood.
The building suffered damage in the tornado of 1952 and was repaired in 1953. In 1964 plans to build a new building began and the congregation completed the building in 1966. The Church moved to their present location and in 1967 Marshal Keeble did their dedication. The Church had grown sufficiently enough to establish an eldership. There were three elders and five deacons. Clearly, they were ahead of most rural African American Churches of Christ by establishing an eldership.
The congregation, like Oak Grove and members of the Baptist and Methodist Churches, has had some of the great people of Henderson serving in the Church. Presently, the congregation is located on Luray Ave., and is doing a great work in the Lucyville community.
Church of Christ at Church Street – This ministry began out of a ministry at the Tennessee Children’s Home in December 2004. The ministry began specifically to serve the youth on the campus of the Children’s Home and staff which attended Churches of Christ. Shortly after the ministry began, several inactive members began to attend the worship services. However, there were some associated with the Children’s Home who were concerned that the ministry would cause division and asked that the ministry shut down or move from the campus. Because of the restored members, the ministry moved to 254 Church Street in November of 2005. The ministry outgrew the space and expanded. In June of 2009 the Church moved to 526 North Church Street where it is serving the community. This location had served as a steak and catfish restaurant. Church of Christ at Church Street has existed for twenty-years and most of the founding members are still living. Several ministries have been developed and continue to be developed to effectively serve the Chester County and surrounding communities.
