Central Christian Church - Greenville, Texas

This congregation was organized in 1879 as First
Christian Church. Led by Elder James Pickens, a min-
ister from Alabama, the congregation first met in a
union church on Lee Street. The Rev. T. W. Caskey served
as the first regular pastor of the church, and a
small frame sanctuary was built on Wesley Street.
The name of the congregation was changed to
Central Christian Church when the present sanctuary
was built in 1898-99. The oldest church structure
remaining in Greenville, it was built at a cost of
$23,000. An outstanding, robust example of the gothic
revival style of architecture, it features intact
towers, art glass windows, and exceptional grill-like
brickwork.
Throughout its history, this congregation has been
an integral part of the community. Central Christian
Church members have been instrumental in estab-
lishing new churches in town and have maintained
both foreign missionary and local outreach programs.
Recognizing the need to preserve this church as
a local landmark, the congregation began a major
restoration project in 1986. It now stands as a fine
example of local historic preservation.