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About 1910 the broad prairies of what is now the Citrus Grove Community were opened for settlement. After a sufficient number of people had moved in, a church was organized under the supervision of “the United Brethren in Christ” by the Rev. Nichols. Rev. Geo. Powell became the first pastor of the church. In 1911 four lots, 50 X 120, were donated by the Hurd Land Company to the trustees of the church. The community contributed enough material and labor to erect the church, free from debt. On October 25, 1925, a meeting of the congregation was held at which it was decided to organize a community church under the supervision of “the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America,” and petition was sent to the Presbytery of Houston asking to be enrolled as a member of that body. The Citrus Grove Community Church was received by the Presbytery of Houston on _____. Trustees to the new church organization were elected and the title to the property was transferred to them. The dead is recorded in the office of the clerk of Matagorda County in Volume 33, page 374, 375 under the date of July 7, 1926. On February 10, 1926 a charter was granted this church by the State of Texas and is numbered 45.152. The writer of this historical sketch is indebted to Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Douglas and Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Crabill, who were charter members of the United Brethren church, for this information. The early records of this church were kept in a loose leaf note book and were in danger of being lost. At a session meeting on March 23, 1933 it was voted to have the minutes copied in this more permanent form. Clarence N. Wylie, Missionary for Houston Presbytery—March 24, 1933. |
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With R. L. Corporon presiding proceedings toward the organization of a community Church at Citrus Grove were entered.
A report of the committee on nomination of officers of the proposed
organization was heard, as follow A motion to accept the [report] of the committee and elect the officers nominated was unanimously carried. Further nominations for offices of secretary and treasurer resulted in electing Irene L. Batchelder Secretary and Mrs. L. Corporon treasurer. The meeting was adjourned. Irene L. Batchelder, Sec’y |
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Officers of the community church of Citrus Grove met with Mr. H. P. Janes presiding. The question of raising funds for the church was discusses. Mr. A. R. Myers was appointed to go to a meeting of the church board in Houston to get funds for rebuilding the church. A meeting for the installation of officers was planned for February 14, 1926. A motion was carried to appoint a music committee for the purpose of looking into the matter of purchasing a piano. Mrs. W. Batchelder, Miss Faith Crabill , and Irene L. Batchelder were appointed. The meeting was adjourned. Irene L. Batchelder, Sec’y |
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The officers of the community church of Citrus Grove met with Mr. H. P. Janes presiding. The budget of the church was discussed. Pledges were to be recorded by the secretary and given to the treasurer. A census of the community being taken by Mr. H. P. Janes was discussed as a help for the church. The deacons were asked to complete the budget in two weeks. Mr. A. R. Myers was appointed to have the deeds for the church property recorded. Mr. A. F. Johnson and Mr. H. A. Crabill were appointed to determine the deeds of the church property. The meeting was adjourned. Irene L. Batchelder, Sec’y |
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The officers of the community church of Citrus Grove met with Mr. H. P. Janes presiding. Plains for cleaning the church yard were discussed. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Myers, and Mr. Crabill were appointed to plan a day for this work. A motion was made and carried that 75% of the budget pledged should be payed on the minister’s salary and the other 25% should be spent as determined where the ---ions arose. The meeting was closed with prayer by R. L. Corporon. Irene L. Batchelder, Sec’y |
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The officers of the Citrus Grove community church met after prayer meeting with Dick Corporon presiding. The meeting was opened by prayer by P. V. Corporon. A motion was made and carried that we call Rev. M. L. Smith to this church through recommendation of Dr. Wilson and Rev. Smith himself. A motion was made and carried that we have services held each Sunday afternoon and have prayer meeting each Thursday night. A motion was made and carried that we have a congregational meeting March 11, 1926. A motion was made and carried that we adjourn. Mrs. Percy Corporon, Sec’y & Treasurer |
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On March 11, 1928 a congregational meeting was held at the Citrus Grove community church with R. L. Corporon presiding. A motion was made and carried that we accept Rev. M. L. Smith as our pastor. A motion was made and carried that we have Sunday school and church each Sunday afternoon and prayer meeting each Thursday night. Mr. H. Crabill dismissed the meeting by prayer. Mrs. Percy Corporon, Sec’y & Treasurer Minutes of April 12, 1928 On Thursday April the 12, 1928 the officials of the Citrus Grove community church met at the home of Amos F. Johnson, Rev. M. L. Smith presiding. The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Smith. A delegate to the Presbytery was discussed. Willie Myers was nominated and elected as secretary. A motion was made and carried that the bill for the mantles be paid. A motion was made and carried that we adjourn. The meeting was dismissed with prayer by Mr. H. Crabill. Mrs. Percy Corporon, Sec’y & Treasurer |
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There has been a nomination that Signed W. A. Myers, W. A. N. Sec. |
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The meeting was brought to order, and prayer by R. L. Corporon. The meeting was in discussion of remodeling of church. There has been a motion made and carried that in the near future the community will gather at the church and clean off the church grounds. There has been a motion made and carries that Mr. C. S. Douglas, Mr. A. F. Johnson, and Mr. H. S. Crabill serve as building committee. There has been a motion made and carried that said meeting adjourn, and closed by prayer by Rev. Smith. Signed W. A. Myers, W. A. M., Sec. |
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The meeting was brought to order and prayer by Rev. Smith. Mr. C. S. Douglas gives statement of building committee, he states that lumber, nails, and shingles will cost about $268.64, and paint, linseed oil, and putty, $40.00 for building addition and painting of the Citrus Grove community church. There was a motion made and carried that Mr. C. S. Douglas order paint for the church. There was a motion made and carried that the $5.00 that was in treasurer be turned in to the preacher’s salary. The meeting was adjourned and dismissed by prayer by Rev. Smith. Signed W. A. Myers, W. A. M., Sec’y |
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The meeting was opened by prayer by Rev. Smith. There was a motion made and carried that W. A. Myers go to Houston as delegate to the Presbytery to be held at Houston on Tuesday. There was a motion made and carried that Mrs. W. A. Myers go to Houston as delegate to the presbytery to be held at Houston on Tuesday. The delegates are requested to carry presbytery fees with them. There was motion made a carried that we change our church hours from evening to morning as soon as possible. The meeting was adjourned and dismissed by prayer by Rev. Smith. Signed, W. A. Myers, W. A. M., Sec’y Donations received on piano
Mr. C. S. Douglas $2.00 W. A. Myers – Secy |
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The meeting was opened with a song. Prayer was offered by Rev. Smith. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
A motion was made and carried that A motion was made and carried that we have a contest between the Seniors and the Bible class. W. A. Myers – Secy |
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Meeting opened with Scripture reading by Rev. M. L. Smith. Prayer was offered by Mr. Myers. Methods for getting money to make payments on piano were discussed.’ Motion was made by Sanford Crabill, seconded by Mr. Douglas, and carried that Willie Myers get an itemized statement on piano. It was decided that every one who cares to donate on piano might bring one a more chickens to be sold for benefit of piano fund. Motion was made and carried that bill for gas mantles be paid. Meeting closed with prayer by Rev. Smith. R. L. Corporon, Acting Secy |
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At the close of a service conducted by Rev. Clarence N. Wylie, Sunday School Missionary for Houston Presbytery, Mr. and Mrs. Omar Crabill, Omar Jay Crabill and Robo Lee Crabill presented themselves for membership in the church. Mr. Crabill was received on his statement of having been a member of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. Crabill was received on her statement of having been a member of the Baptist Church. Omar Jay and Robo Lee were received on their profession of faith in Christ, and were baptized by Rev. Wylie. R. L. Corporon, Acting Secy |
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With R. L. Corporon presiding, a Christian Endeavor Society was organized under the supervision of the church board.
The following officers were elected R. L. Corporon, Acting Secy |
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The session met at the close the evening service. Rev. Clarence N. Wylie acted as moderator. Elders present were H. A. Crabill and R. L. Corporon. Deacon P. V. Corporon was also present. A motion prevailed that the records of this church which had been kept in a loose-leaf book should be transferred to a more permanent form. Rev. Wylie was authorized to secure the book and transcribe the records. It was also decided to have a brief Historical Sketch of the church included in the record book. Owing to the death of Mr. A. R. Myers, one of the trustees, a motion was made and carried that Mr. C. S. Douglas be nominated to the Board of Trustees. A motion was carried that Mr. Omar Crabill’s name be presented to the congregation for election to the session. Clarence N. Wylie, Mod. |
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At a congregational meeting was held in connection with a service being conducted by Rev. C. N. Wylie, Mr. R. L. Corporon reported that the session had nominated C. S. Douglas for trustee and Mr. Omar Crabill for an elder of this church. A motion was made and carried that these men be elected to these positions. Sunday afternoon. March 26, 1922 was set for the ordination of Mr. Crabill. Mrs. R. L. Corporon presented herself for membership in the church and was received on her statement of having been a member of the Baptist Church of Baraboo, Wisconsin. The minutes of May 13, 1929 show that Mr. C. S. Douglas was elected as an elder. Mr. Douglas had not been ordained and requested that he should not be considered as an elder. This request was granted. Clarence N. Wylie, Mod. |
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At the close of the evening service Duane Percy Corporon presented himself for membership in the church. After his profession of faith in Christ he was received. Elders present were H. A. Crabill and R. L. Corporon. Prayer was offered by R. L. Corporon. Clarence N. Wylie – Mod. |
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Sunday afternoon Mr. Omar Crabill, who was elected an elder on March 23rd, was ordained by Rev. C. N. Wylie. Mr. R. L. Corporon was elected clerk of the Session and church treasurer. Duane Percy Corporon was baptized. An offering was taken to be applied on the Benevolence Quota for the year, which had been set at $10.00. The offering amounted to $5.21. Previous offerings had amounted to $4.84 making the total contributions for missions $10.05. Elders present at the meeting were H. A. Crabill, R. L. Corporon and Omar Crabill. Clarence N. Wylie – Mod. Approved at: Westminster Church Houston April 19, 1933, H. Baird Stated Clerk |
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On the evening of June 2, 1933 a meeting was conducted by Rev. C. N. Wylie. At this meeting Miss Billie Crabill was baptized and received in the church. Elders present at this meeting were H. A. Crabill, Omar Crabill and R. L. Corporon. R. L. Corporon, Sec. |
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On the evening of March 24 Rev. C. N. Wylie conducted a meeting for
the purpose of electing Officers for Sunday School. Elder present at this meeting was R. L. Corporon. R. L. Corporon, Sec. Approved by Houston Presbytery, April 21, 1936 in Houston Heights church, H Baird State Clerk |