Farriss Drive COC
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| Franklin Street COC
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The history of the Church of Christ can be traced back to the Day of Pentecost when Peter preached the Gospel and 3,000 souls responded. May 1923 marked the beginning of the Church of Christ in Huntsville, AL for the Black population.
The Leadership of the Randolph Street Church of Christ realized that there was a need to have the Gospel preached to the "colored people" in this area and were instrumental in securing Brother Marshall Keeble, the dynamic evangelist from Nashville, TN, to hold a two-week gospel meeting. The meetings were very successful with more than 50 souls baptized into the Body of Christ in Huntsville.
Since those who were baptized lived in different areas of the city, they were concerned about what would happen to them when Brother Keeble left. However, there were other black ministers in the neighboring cities whom Brother Keeble asked to come at various times to hold the group together. A committee was formed to meet with city officials to request permission to conduct worship services in Council Training School. Permission was given to use this facility at no charge. Brother Keeble promised that he would return, as Paul promised the churches that he established. Meanwhile, several of the local ministers preached for the congregation.
On March 5, 1925, they purchased a 1/4 acre lot on Franklin Street for $790. Two years after purchasing the lot, several members mortgaged their homes to get enough money to get the church building project started. Franklin Street Church of Christ was completed in 1927 and Sister Era Brake was the first person to be baptized in the new facility. The building, located at 822 Franklin Street, now serves as a dental office.
Brother Keeble kept his promise and returned each year. The church continued to grow in number and in spirit. During one of his visits, Brother Keeble asked the congregation to pick nine men out of the group that they felt would qualify for elders and deacons. He explained to them the qualifications for each position and often encouraged the brothers to start preparing for the ministry. On the designated Sunday, he returned to ordained Brother C.T. Dickerson, Brother Perry Powers, Brother Billy Turner, Brother John Toney and Brother Thomas Toney as elders, and Brother Otis Eldridge, Brother Norman Dickerson, Brother Charlie Hampton, and Brother Emanuel Vincent as deacons.
From 1923-1933, Franklin Street Church of Christ did not have a full time minister. Local ministers from different congregations assisted the brethren with the services. After much meditation and prayer, Brother C. T. Dickerson and Brother Otis Wilkerson, charter members of the Franklin Street Church, began preaching on alternate Sundays. Through it all, the church remained faithful and continued to grow. From 1933 through 1935, Brother H. L. Mays, a young minister from the tri cities who was enrolled at A&M Institute (now A&M University), began preaching for the congregation every Sunday. He was the first Franklin Street Church of Christ minister to receive pay. The first full time minister was Brother Russell Moore (1936-1941).
Other ministers have included Brother H. T. Simmons (1941-1945), Brother Quincy Carter (1946-1949), Brother Prince A. Barnes (1949-1950), Brother Robert L. Butler (1950-1965), Brother Oscar Marbury (1964-1966), Brother Davis Clark (1967-1968) and Brother Dallas Walker (1968-1973).
In October 1965, the Franklin Street Church of Christ was incorporated. The trustees at that time were Brother Joe D. Rice, Brother Freddie Rice, Brother James McCall, Brother William E. Jackson, and Brother Arthur Hullett. Due to lack of space, the leadership expressed to the congregation that there was a great need for expansion - the purchasing of land and the building of a large meeting house with classrooms, fellowship hall and a large sanctuary.
In 1971, under the capable leadership of Brother Arthur Hullett, Brother James Bledso, Brother Charlie Hampton, and Brother Dallas Walker, Minister, a bond program was launched, and funds were raised to purchase the current site located at 3203 Farriss Drive.
Under the leadership of Brother Vernon Smith, Minister (1973-1974); Brother John Harris, Minister (1974-1987); Brother Jimmy C. Steele, Minister (1987-1987); Brother Paul Young, Jr. Minister (1988-1999); and Brother James E. Gray, Associate Minister (1987-2000). During this period, the leadership realized the need for expansion. In the spring of 1994, ground was broken for the expansion of the sanctuary and fellowship hall. Additional classrooms were also added to accommodate present and future growth of membership. From 2000 – 2001, Brother Darryl E. Beasley served as minister and from 2002 – 2006, Brother Devins T. Jackson served as minister.
In 2003, looking to the future, under the leadership of the Elders, Brother Ivan Toney, Brother Lewis Williams and Brother James H. Redmon, Sr., and Brother Devins T. Jackson, Minister, Farriss Drive purchased 10 acres of land along Blue Spring Road-the future home of Blue Spring Road Church of Christ! Brother Devins T. Jackson resigned as minister of the Farriss Drive Church of Christ in 2006.
In 2007, the leadership hired Brother Darron Fantroy as Senior Minister with the addition of Brother Adrain Harris as Assistant Minister later that same year. Within the first year of his arrival, Farriss Drive experienced the addition of 40 new members and 20 new souls were added to the Lord's church. During November-December 2007, the auditorium was totally renovated and Farriss Drive entered into the New Year with a new look.
In 2008, Brother Darron Fantroy left the Farriss Drive Church of Christ Congregation and Brother Adrain Harris, Assistant Minister, served as Interim minister.
In July 2009, Brother Floyd Rodgers assumed the duties of Sr. Minister at Farriss Drive Church of Christ. Under the leadership of Brother Rodgers, five elders were ordained in April 2010 (Brothers Henry Barley, Milton Boddie, Paul Parker, Sr., James Redmon, Sr., and Marvin Williams).
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