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History of Central Christian Church

Central Christian Church is over 140 years old, having been establish in 1863 under the leadership of our first pastor, Rev. Charles Carlton.. In 1867 we built the first church building ever erected in Dallas on property that is now the 700 block of Ross Avenue in the West End Historical District. We have been in our current location on Westside Drive since 1953, over 50 years.

In 1867 they built the first church building erected in Dallas on what is now the 700 block of Ross Avenue.

In 1876 the congregation divided in a disagreement over an organ, and built a new church building on Commerce Street in 1878 when Rev. Kirk Baxter was pastor.

A new and much larger church was built in 1891 at the corner of Masten (now St. Paul) and Patterson Streets. Rev. J. T. Toof, who was pastor at that time, also lead the church to mission activity, especially in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey).

Dr. Graham Frank was pastor from 1917 to 1942 and led Central Christian Church to prominence and influence in Dallas’ city life.

In 1953 Central Christian Church relocated to its present location on Westside Drive and called Dr. E. C. Rowand, Jr. to be the pastor for this ambitious new era of growth. While we were waiting for the Westside Drive church to be finished, we actually met in the auditorium of Highland Park High School.