First Christian Church of Tyler

(Disciples of Christ) The first known record of a Christian (Disciples of Christ) church in Tyler appears in an 1859 deed that secured title to property on which a red brick sanctuary was built. With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, the fellowship was disbanded. For two decades Tyler had no active Disciples of Christ congregation, although a few of the members continued to conduct a Bible school. In 1889, J. J. Lockhart, who was state evangelist for the Texas Christian Missionary Society, held a meeting in the Albertson Opera House, and a new church was organized. The congregation met in a tabernacle on West Erwin Street but was without a full-time minister until 1906, when the Rev. J. J. Lockhart returned to Tyler and became the pastor. From 1889, the membership grew, and two additional sanctuaries were built, a Sunday School was organized, a women's missionary auxiliary was formed, and youth activities were added. A large number of ministers and missionaries have come from this church. Throughout its history, the First Christian Church of Tyler has played an important role in the community and in the Disciples of Christ brotherhood.

First Christian Church of Tyler is a historical marker in Tyler, Smith County, dedicated in 1984. It is one of 90 historical markers documented in Smith County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 272 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.3047, -95.3003 near Tyler. The nearest cataloged historic site is Thomas G. Pollard, Sr. (historical marker), about 0.7 miles away. Others within a short drive include Hubbard, Colonel Richard B., Rose Hill Cemetery, and Goss.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5423007727. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.