As the 20th Century was coming to a close, the Hillwood Development Company, owned by Mr. H. Ross Perot, entered into an agreement with the FAA and the City of Fort Worth for a sizable amount of land to build an airport.
A few short years later, the 21st Century was approaching and the Texas Motor Speedway and Alliance Airport were drawing close to completion. Aware of the potential growth of the area, the minister of the Justin Church of Christ, James Vinzant, saw the need for a new congregation somewhere in this greater area becoming known as the Alliance Corridor.
The Alliance Church of Christ began in a hotel at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Westport Parkway the first Sunday in August, 2000. This was the meeting place for several weeks until the group was forced to relocate because of scheduling conflicts with the hotel. Upon hearing of our need for a meeting place, Dale Roberson, Mayor of the city of Justin, encouraged us to meet at the Justin City Hall. This outpouring of love by the community was deeply appreciated.
Not having a more permanent location hampered the work. The Frank Wallace family offered a building on 4th Street in Justin in which to worship. This building was a blessing and our church home for several years. Forrest Francis and his son contributed their time and effort to put up walls for classrooms. This building was the identical size of our present foyer. One restroom served the now growing church. A portable baptistery was purchased and many adults and youth were baptized into Christ. The red sign on our permanent building is the sign which was over the building just E of the Justin Pharmacy.
The first elders to serve were Robert Burns, Earl Gray, and James Vinzant. This building was filled and parking at a premium. The zoning committee of the City of Justin changed the parking to “head-in” parking instead of in the middle of the street because of us.
An ad hoc committee was formed to find suitable property for the church. Among those were Roger Thompson, Jack Brown, Don Roach, R. D. Martin, Frank Wallace and perhaps others. Roger Thompson was instrumental in introducing us to the owner of our present property. Almost ten acres purchased in July, 2002 was an answer to many prayers.
Several blessings came our way. One was scores of truckloads of dirt from a construction site. The Upper Trinity River Water Authority was running a massive water line down highway 407 from I-35 to Justin, and they needed a place to put their excess dirt. They were delighted to bring us their loads of dirt, and R. D. Martin used that dirt to level our property. Another blessing was the gift of the base for our parking lot. The concrete plant delivered many truckloads of their washout and, in addition to that gift, Al Brown arranged for the highway grindings that completed the construction of that lot, and since then, loads of gravel were purchased and graded to bring the parking lot to its present state. Our building was made so one day it could be bricked.
We first considered selling bonds for the financing of the property and the building but there were many legal considerations so the Frank Wallace family loaned the church the funds with the elders co-signing the loan. The church is now debt free.
R. D. Martin served as the building contractor. Through his influence many materials were given or purchased at a tremendous discount. Jack Brown was instrumental in providing other items and buying greatly discounted items such as the carpet, tile, and movable doors. Also, every door in the church building was given to the church by R. D. Martin’s son, Dennis.
The building was dedicated March 7, 2004, and a building full of members and friends worshipped together and enjoyed a delicious meal. Soon pews replaced our folding chairs. Fellowship is so important that we purposely have a internal area in the back of the auditorium where we can visit one another.
From the very first service in the hotel in 2000 mission and benevolence work has been practiced. The entire contribution from the first worship service was sent to mission work.
Ken Wahlquist gave valuable insight and was considered our associate minister before his untimely fall and subsequent death in 2006.
James Vinzant served as the pulpit minister from 2000-2008. Robert Bostick served as interim minister after James. Dr. Tom Bedichek began serving as pulpit minister in 2009.
Earl Gray and Gene Hoch presently serve as elders.
Exciting growth and blessings have been given to the Alliance congregation in our first two decades, but even greater blessings are expected in the years to come. Come and share in the blessings and in the responsibilities of this great Alliance family!