Churches
Cochran County, Texas
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First Assembly of God - Morton
The very first pentecostal church services in morton were held by Rev. Archie L. Beggs in 1935. He held the services in the Legion Hall for some time, then they bought a tent and had tent services.
They bought a lot for $15.00 (where the old church was located), and put the tent on it and services in it for approximately one year.
Bro. Beggs buts built the Frist Assembly Church in Morton in 1936 or early 1937. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Shields were some of the first pioneers of the church. They brought milk and eggs to the Beggs and their small
children. At times that was all they had to eat.
Roy Shields was the janitor of the Morton Hospital for many years.
A few of the first members were the Langhams, Hamiltons, Cochrans, Wallers, Bates and Harris families.
In about 1939 a big revival was held and Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Tanner and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Peters were saved and joined the church. The Tanners and Mrs. (Peters) Lewis are atill members, along with many of their
children.
Beggs left in the early 1940's. King, Little, Owens and Fuller were pastors, then Beggs returned in 1949. He built the parsonage across from the New Church.
Virgil Pace followed Beggs and stayed until 1952. H. T. Clarke came and pastored approximately 9 years. While here they were in charge of erecting our present church building which is located at 3rd and Jefferson. It was
finished in September 1958. We had dedication services and named it the "First Assembly of God Church".
The Clarkes left in October of 1960 and was followed by Jimmy Beggs, son of former pastor A. L. Beggs. Jimmy pastored for almost three years and left to become a missionary in Africa where he intinerated for 22 years, with
furloughs about every 4 years. They have 2 married children.
Following Brother Beggs, D. A. Watson came and stayed 2 years. Their son, David, married Mrs. (Peters) Lewis' daughter Gloria. Roy George was next, followed byShuffield who stayed almost 2 years. Don Murray followed then went to
Levelland Park View Assembly. G. A. VanHoose came in September 1968 and stayed 5 years. Three of his daughters married local boys. Doris married Terry House, Beck married Eddie Benefield, and Georgia married Monty Tanner.
Wilbur Stanley came next and only stayed 7 months. He returned to the Joshua and founded an Assembly of God Church there and is presently pastoring it. Frank Estes came for 2 years and is no pastoring in Abilene. Harver Wampler came
next and only stayed 3 months as he was voted in as District C. A. official. He was a former member of our church and was called into the ministry while in Morton. Larry Bradshaw followed and stayed 1 year. Don Thomas came next and stayed 2 years.
Bill Coleman came in August 1979 and stayed 3 1/2 years then went Amarillo. They are presently on the evengelistic field.
In March 1983 Wayne Wooten served as pastor until May 1986 when he left due to health reasons.
We are presently [1985/86] out of a pasotr. We have about 35 members and our Sunday School membership is running 55-60.
Submitted by Members
Unless otherwise noted, all church histories found on this page are from Cochran County Legacy Vol. I. Copyright 1985 Cochran County Historical Commission, used with permission.
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