In the spring of 1948, since there was not a congregation of the church of Christ in the Oak Cliff area known as Beckley Heights, the elders of the Peak and East Side church of Christ began an effort to establish one. Brother Thadaeus Bookout was sent to hold a gospel meeting. As a driver and to read the text each night for his sermons, he took with him Doyle Goodspeed who was working with the young people at Peak and East Side. At that time, most of the larger churches in Dallas were alert to establish a church where there was not a congregation. The first services were held in the home of Brother and Sister J.B. Morris. Fred Tidwell led the singing.
The infant congregation of God’s people grew rapidly, meeting in the Morris’s home until funds were raised to build a small concrete block building across the highway from the present buildings. Early members beside the Morris family were the Ardell Christians (Ardell led singing and preached some), the Ed Hunters, the David Stevens, the Chester Alfords, the McKays, the Stuarts, the Sims, the Frizells and others. We apologize for not being able to credit all who were so important at the beginning.
The first preacher was Charles Kitchens. His financial support was provided by Peak and East Side. Following through the years were Fred Tidwell, Jack Crone, Winston Atkinson (the first full-time preacher), Henry McCaghren, John Willis, and James Medford. While Brother Medford was the preacher, a new brick structure was built at the present location.
Doyle and Quitta Goodspeed and their children came to Beckley Heights in 1970 and stepped down in 2001. After this, Willie Ray Hill preached for a short while and was succeeded by Paul Day who was followed by Brother Willie Williams and his wife Flora. Brother Richard Stevens III and Angela, his wife are now working with the congregation. Their children are Dezmond, who preaches for a congregation in Henderson, Tennessee, Tasha, Amanda, Leah, Hannah, and Dakota
A new auditorium has been constructed and dedicated on November 12, 2006. The church has ambitious plans for future building phases to meet further needs.
The Beckley Heights church has produced a number of men who became ministers of the gospel and elders and deacons of other congregations after they left the Dallas area. The elders who have served at Beckley Heights Church of Christ since 1963 are as follows: (* denotes deceased) *Ed Hunter, *Joe Rigsby, *J.W. (Dub) Mitchell, *C.B. McCaghen, *Edgar Dobson, Leon Arnold, *Vernon King, Doyle Goodspeed, Waydell Nixon, Charles Boyce, Lloyd Andrews, Azel Tipps, Richard Griffis, Gene McIntyre, Calvester Carter, Tony Harris, and Herb McCullough.
This brief history is prepared with the help of Ed Hunter, James Medford and Ardell Christian to whom appreciation is acknowledged.
Doyle Goodspeed
