Daily Tribune, January 21, 1977

VINE GROVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
1867 - 1997

By Thelma Smith

Whether the name Grapevine Church, Home Mission Society, or Vine Grove Christian Church is used, one is still referring to a little church that once was or still exists in Live Oak Community, Matagorda County, Texas.

The community is situated on FM 2540 on the Live Oak Bayou in an area where the bayou crosses FM 521. From the city limits of Bay City, travel east six miles on FM 457 to a flashing light at the intersection of 457 and FM 2540. Turn right onto FM 2540 and go southeast some six more miles, and the Live Oak Community comes into view.

Prior to the Civil War, the community was a large plantation owned by John L. Thorp. Thorp farmed cotton and sugar cane and had approximately one hundred slaves to do the work. Before coming to Matagorda County, Texas, Thorp was a farmer in Greenville County, Virginia.

The Emancipation Proclamation was signed January 1, 1863, and the news reached Texas on June 19, 1865. Among the families who remained on or migrated to the former plantation/community were Wyche, Dale, Brown, Wiggins, Carruthers, Yancy, Allinece (Alonis), Dennis, Robbins, and Taylor.

Communities are composed of families, houses, schools, churches, post offices, trading places and work forces to provide for economic welfare. This community had the families who built or provided the houses and people who farmed, fished, hunted, and did other menial jobs for their food supplies and security. The post office and possibly a trading post was located some six miles northeast of the community; however, there was neither a school or a church building in which to congregate.

On some plantations before 1865, it was permissible for slaves to hold some type of church service with the overseer's permission, but it was illegal to teach slaves to read and write. Therefore, there was neither a building for a church or a school in the community.

In 1867, Joseph Yeamans, a Caucasian and a pioneer schoolteacher of the Matagorda County Common School District, resided in Matagorda. Under the leadership of Yeamans, the Grapevine Church was organized in the Live Oak Community.

The first church building was constructed of logs with dirt flooring, wood-shutter windows and doors. It was located in the area of the old road that connected Matagorda with the eastern half of the county. The area today is known as "Grapevine Corner" because of the wild grapevines growing in the live oak trees. During the summer season, the vines still hang from the trees that date back some one hundred twenty or more years.

The Grapevine Church building was also used as a school house. Former residents who lived in the Live Oak Community were: Marcus Robbins, Jessie Mae Dennis Edison, Sessia Wyche, Sr., Lula Yancy Duncan, Sam Carruthers, Mark Mathenia, Henderson Bouldin, Jim Louis Dale and Tim Brown. These and many others attended school in the "Grapevine Corner" Church/School building.

According to records provided by Mrs. Lizzie Jane Brown Earls, an active member of Vine Grove Christian Church, Joseph Yeamans pastored the Grapevine Church of 1867. Mrs. Earls was the granddaughter of Sam Brown, a slave who was brought from Virginia at the age of eighteen to Galveston, Texas.

In 1875, the people in the community and the county erected a second building. This building was located on the site where the first log building was constructed. This building was called the "Rosenwall School."

Today an old water pump, a small cemetery and live oak trees with trailing grapevines are the only remains of the early Grapevine Church/Rosenwall School. Across the road from the site can be found homes of persons whose great grandparents (slaves) are interred in the cemetery.

In 1809, the people of the community bought two acres of land from Troy and Patricia Taylor. The Taylors were the great-great grandparents of Mrs. Annie Clara Green, a teacher and head of the business department in the Bay City Independent School District.

Mrs. Sallie Norman, grandaughter of the Taylors, indicated that the Taylors had purchased land in the Live Oak Community, William Rabb League, from J. K. White. Mr. & Mrs. Taylor agreed to sell two acres to the church congregation for nine dollars. The membership contributed eight dollars and the Taylors donated the other dollar to complete the selling price.

The Taylors signed the deed, October 14, 1895, with their X and the deed was filed and recorded January 2, 1896. (Deed Records, Vol. 3, page 513, Matagorda County, Texas)

At that time the church came to be known as the Home Mission Society. The land for the Home Mission Society is situated on the west side of Live Oak Creek in Matagorda County, Texas.

Joseph Yeamans was pastor for the Grapevine Church. Troy Taylor was pastor for the Home Mission Society Church with Tim Brown, James Armstead, Eugene Brown, Joshua Wyche, Hal Robbins, Henderson Bouldin, Sessia Wyche, Sr., Horace Earls, and others serving as officers.

At that time, the building faced the south with its back to a ditch. The ditch is presently a ravine running north of the present church building from FM 2540 to the Live Oak Creek.

The story is told that in 1826, a group of Karankawa Indians roamed and massacred members of the Flowers and Cavanah families. Some of the Vine Grove Christian Church members indicated that as children they played in that area and found Indian relics there.

Rev. Taylor served as pastor for several years. He died in 1932. The next pastor to lead the congregation was Rev. W. L. Law. In 1918, another building was erected under the leadership of Rev. Law.

The president of the Mission Society in the Home Mission Society Church was Isabell Norman. Members of the society included Pinkie Dale, Ella Brown, Elizabeth Wyche, Amy Clay, Esther Brown, Rannie Gaston, Mary Haley, Lucy Wyche, Emily Dennis, Lucy Armstead and Emma Brown.

Other pastors of the 1918 church were Rev. C. H. Norris, Rev. C. H. Wyche, and Rev. R. H. Paige. Rev. Paige pastored the church for thirteen years, and under his leadership the 1918 building was finally completed.

In 1949, Rev. Paige resigned and moved elsewhere. Following Rev. Paige, the pastors were: 1949, Rev. Clarence Times; 1953, Rev. S. L. Brown; 1957, Rev. O. A. Armstead; 1963, Rev. H. L. Hawkins; 1966, Rev. H. S. Williams.

The 1918 building was demolished by a storm on September 23, 1968. The following Sunday, church services were held in the cafeteria. Rev. Williams' message was taken from Romans 13:10 and titled, "Who is Your Neighbor." Rev. Sam Brown and Elder Eugene Brown, the oldest two members in the community, were present and gave a comfortable donation.

In March 1997, Mrs. Lizzie Jane Brown Earls, age 90,  was the oldest member in the Live Oak Community and the Vine Grove Christian Church. Mrs. Amey Austin, a sister of Mrs. Earls and a former member of the Vine Grove Christian Church and Live Oak Community, was 97. Mrs. Austin later lived in Galveston and Bay City.

On July 13, 1969, the present wood structure was dedicated. Rev. M. C. Dickson delivered the message, and Rev. R. H. Paige gave the dedicatorial address. A total of $1300 was donated in the offering. The carpenter for the structure was Mr. Joe Collins.

In August 1970, the church's body satisfied its debts to all of its creditors. The church was debt free.

On October 13, 1977, bricks were purchased for the sanctuary area. Mr. Hooker Peel of Brazoria, Texas, began laying the brick on October 31, 1977, and completed the project in November, 1977.

A covered porch is located at the front of the structure. Double doors open into a 7 by 8 ft. carpeted vestibule. To the left of the vestibule is a carpeted lounge and restroom facility for women and to the right is a carpeted restroom area for men.

Double doors open into a 70 by 30 ft. carpeted sanctuary with padded pews. The pews are divided by a center passage way that leads to the area in front of the pulpit. Equally arranged in this area is an organ on the left and a piano on the right, centered with furnishings for communion and the offering.

The lectern is on the pulpit gallery, abounded by chairs for the pastor and other ministers. Directly behind the pulpit area is the choir gallery with a door on the south side leading to the pastor's study, and a door on the north side leading to the choir room and fellowship hall.

The following officers served with Rev. Williams were: Deacons: Horace Earls (chair of trustees), Kermit Monroe, Jimmy Times, Sessia Wyche, Jessie Times, Billy Polk, Roosevelt Allen, and James David; Elders: Roy Times, Eugene Brown, Jonathan Times; President CWF: Lizzie Earls; Choir: Ruth Bouldin; Youth Leaders: Annie J. Allen, Edna Polk, Ada Monroe, and Mary Wyche; Supt. of Bible School: Joe Times; Church Clerk: Sallie Norman; and Treasurer: Aslena Polk.

Rev. Williams resigned September 28, 1970. In 1973, Rev. Caldwell Brown was elected pastor. Under Rev. Brown's leadership, a new Education Building was erected, and two cooling units were installed. The Allen family donated the loud speaker. 

Rev. Brown retired November, 1984, and associate minister, Rev. Gilbert Franklin, was elected pastor. Rev. Franklin served until March, 1988, and then chose to resign.

On June 1, 1988, the Rev. Larry Fletcher was elected. Rev. Fletcher gave undaunted services for the salvation of lost souls, the revival of steadfast followers, and the production of the church and community as a whole.