Author: restorationfoundation

In January of 1836, two months prior to Texas becoming an independent republic (and nearly ten years prior to becoming a state) a wagon train known as “the church on horseback” crossed the Red River at the Jonesborough Crossing into the Lone Star State. Led by minister and physician Mansil Matthews, the community of three hundred souls had travelled from Tennessee to Texas sharing the Gospel of Christ and establishing local congregations along the way. These Christians were a part of the American Restoration Movement, a tradition that eventually became the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Church of Christ.

In 1853, Matthews and his family moved to Rockwall and assisted in establishing a local Church of Christ. The church grew over the ensuing years, at first meeting in homes, and then in 1860, completing construction of the first church building located at the corner of Fannin and Washington streets in downtown Rockwall.

In 1979, the Rockwall Church of Christ moved to a location south of Interstate 30, and then, in 1988, another group of believers, the Lakeside Church of Christ, began meeting on State Highway 66 east of downtown.

For fourteen years the two churches existed independently of one another on separate sides of town; however, in the spring of 2002 a desire for unity between the two congregations resulted in the coming together of one, unified church. Following the merger, the church was initially known as the Rockwall-Lakeside Church of Christ. In 2005, soon after the new facilities were completed at the current location on N. Stodghill Road, the congregation felt that they should accompany their new facility with a new name. Geographically, since the site is located on the eastern edge and also enjoys the highest elevation of Rockwall County, the name “Eastridge Church of Christ” was born.

Although the church has gathered in multiple locations throughout the last 170+ years, the Eastridge Church of Christ is a beautiful continuation of a legacy of unity and Christ-centered, biblical faith here in Rockwall, Texas.

A Sample of ministry done by Dr. Mansil Matthews.
James Vinzant

In January of 1836, two months prior to Texas becoming an independent republic (and nearly ten years prior to becoming a state) a wagon train known as “the church on horseback” crossed the Red River at the Jonesborough Crossing into the Lone Star State. Led by minister and physician Mansil Matthews, the community of three hundred souls had travelled from Tennessee to Texas sharing the Gospel of Christ and establishing local congregations along the way. These Christians were a part of the American Restoration Movement, a tradition that eventually became the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Church of Christ.

In 1853, Matthews and his family moved to Rockwall and assisted in establishing a local Church of Christ. The church grew over the ensuing years, at first meeting in homes, and then in 1860, completing construction of the first church building located at the corner of Fannin and Washington streets in downtown Rockwall.

In 1979, the Rockwall Church of Christ moved to a location south of Interstate 30, and then, in 1988, another group of believers, the Lakeside Church of Christ, began meeting on State Highway 66 east of downtown.

For fourteen years the two churches existed independently of one another on separate sides of town; however, in the spring of 2002 a desire for unity between the two congregations resulted in the coming together of one, unified church. Following the merger, the church was initially known as the Rockwall-Lakeside Church of Christ. In 2005, soon after the new facilities were completed at the current location on N. Stodghill Road, the congregation felt that they should accompany their new facility with a new name. Geographically, since the site is located on the eastern edge and also enjoys the highest elevation of Rockwall County, the name “Eastridge Church of Christ” was born.

Although the church has gathered in multiple locations throughout the last 170+ years, the Eastridge Church of Christ is a beautiful continuation of a legacy of unity and Christ-centered, biblical faith here in Rockwall, Texas.

It is my hope that learning more about the sacrifices, the struggles and the victories of those who have lived before us will cause us to grasp the baton of truth and carry it further. 

James Vinzant

For years I have wanted to preserve a tad of history about local congregations near where I have lived or that I know of. Often, when the oldest member of a congregation dies, the rich history of that congregations dies with him or her. 

Few know about the history of what we call the churches of Christ or the Christian churches in North Texas, Tarrant or Denton County, or in the state of Texas. 

Perhaps you have heard the names of Thomas Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone and Walter Scott, but you may not have heard the names of Collin McKinney, Mansil Matthews, J. B. Wilmeth or B. F. Hall. 

It is my hope that learning more about the sacrifices, the struggles and the victories of those who have lived before us will cause us to grasp the baton of truth and carry it further.