Eastward Church of Christ

Tucked away in Houston’s Fifth Ward, Eastward Church of Christ holds a story as rich and vibrant as the community it serves. It’s a story of faith, resilience, and a deep commitment to uplifting the Black community. Eastward Church of Christ’s journey began humbly in the late 1920s. A small group of Christians, recognizing the need for a Church of Christ within their community, began holding services in homes across the Third and Fourth Wards. As their numbers grew, they moved to local restaurants, their faith expanding alongside their congregation. A pivotal moment arrived in 1932, when Heights Church of Christ sponsored tent revivals led by the dynamic Brother Marshall Keeble. These meetings, held at the corner of Waco Street and Lyons Avenue, sparked a wave of baptisms and marked the official establishment of the first Church of Christ in Houston’s Black community. Initially known as First Church of Christ, the congregation started with around 81 members, a mix of new converts and those transferring from other churches. The church’s early years were marked by financial hardship, yet they persevered. Brother T. H. York, the first minister, even donated his salary to purchase land at Stonewall and Waco Streets. The first sanctuary, a testament to community generosity, was built thanks to a donation from Brother Emerson Woodard, a renowned Houston architect, and his wife, Sister Marie Woodward, both members of the Heights congregation. The congregation flourished, necessitating larger sanctuaries in 1940, 1947, and 1971. The current building stands as a testament to their enduring growth and unwavering faith. Eastward Church of Christ also played a significant role in the creation of the Annual National Lectureship among Black Churches of Christ. Suggested by Brother R. N. Hogan in 1942, the lectureship aimed to unify the teaching of New Testament doctrine and foster fellowship among preachers. The first lectureship was held in Oklahoma City in 1945, with Eastward Church of Christ proudly hosting the event in 1947. Furthermore, mirroring the support they received from Heights Church of Christ, they were instrumental in establishing numerous sister congregations across Houston and beyond. Their influence reached communities in Conroe, Fidelity, Highland Heights, Kashmere Garden, Missouri City, North Houston, North Wayside, Studewood, Sugar Land, Third Ward, and Trinity Gardens, even extending to Louisiana and Massachusetts. The story of Eastward Church of Christ is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a living testament to the power of faith, community, and the unwavering pursuit of spiritual growth within the heart of Houston’s Fifth Ward.