Our History
Our History
Central Christian Church was founded by a group of people who had been members of First Christian Church of Killeen, which was established in 1947. Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Curtis and Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Kilpatrick were founding members of both churches. In May 1973 Oliver and Francis Kilpatrick went to visit Rev. Roy Brewton in Colorado, who had previously been the first full time minister of the First Christian Church. They had convinced him to return Killeen and be the minister of the newly established Central Christian Church of Killeen, Texas.
They held their first services at Bellaire Elementary School with 27 adults on 1 July 1973 and continued to do so for one year. In 1974 three acres and a building were bought from Grace Lutheran Church which is now the fellowship hall and the first services were held on 30 June of that year.
On 6 January 1975 the following Trustees were called Gene Goodnight-Chairman, Oliver Kilpatrick and A.H. Curtis as chairpersons of the congregation.
As soon as they were in the new location, Rev. Brewton began plans for a major building program in March 1981. Due to major fundraising, pledges, and loans, enough money was raised to start construction. The loan was paid in full within 6 years due to the generosity of the members.
In the first 5 days of construction, volunteers including both men and women, worked over 340 hours. Everyone found a task they could do to help build their home church. The Curtis family owned the local lumber yard and made sure to use the best quality and most beautiful wood inlays in the +50' high ceilings of the sanctuary. Stunning stained-glass windows were installed along with a beautiful hand-carved alter depicting the “Last Supper.” The church was dedicated to the Lord on 22 April 1984 and has blessed us with the beautiful sanctuary and building you see today.
Francis Kilpatrick was the matriarch figure to all of our members, as she welcomed everyone on Sunday mornings with a warm hug before worship services every week, well into her 90s. Each member's love for Jesus surrounds the church and within its walls, but most importantly, we keep working at showing how God lives in us every day! Over the years Central Christian Church, Disciples of Christ has helped hundreds of people make commitments to Jesus Christ, get baptized, and grow in their faith and service for Him.