About us
Doing God's work in this area for more than 65 years.
The congregation was originally formed as the Thayer Apartments church of Christ, located at the closed air base south of Carlsbad. Civilians utilized living quarters at the site and the need for a closer place to worship prompted several to begin the necessary steps for starting a new congregation. Fox and Lake church of Christ supported the group until they were able to support themselves
In 1946, the first building used was one left by the military - this building is now behind the Eggleston's house being used as a garage. The first baptism in the congregation was a young lady by the name of Mae Hold (Reeves), followed shortly by the first adults baptized, A.D. and Naomi Eggleston. In time a new auditorium was built and the church flourished. During the time, the church was known as the Thayer Apartments church of Christ. The preachers and wives were Paul & Ellen Foutz, Loye & Beulah Ruckman, Ray & Flo Priest and Luke & Arva Shira.
In the 1950's the area was closed to housing and the people moved to Carlsbad. The congregation decided to move the facilities to the southern area of town to a lot donated by the Egglestons at 3217 Old Cavern Highway. Wilson Brazeal movers moved the building and the name was changed to Southside church of Christ. The barracks and auditorium were set and temporary classrooms were set up in 1956 until new classrooms could be built by Leonard Stephenson in 1960.
In 1989, the Egglestons donated another lot and the multipurpose room was completed with the donation of time and talent by Billy Walker, Mervin Walker, Ed Merkel and others. At the time there were 150 families in the congregation and Dan Wright was the preacher. Preachers and wives from the 1950's were Luke & Arva Shira, Dale & Hazel Smith, Damon & Grace Smith, Melvin & Edna Morrow, George & Margaret Hook, Owen & Leola Morrow, Curtis & Mary Nell Israel, Forest & Jewell Kirkes, Rick & Maureen Thompson, Dan & Ann Wright, Joe & Norma Preston, John & Joni O'Neal, Steve & Pat Brannan, Harold & Jeanella Blevins, Geoff & Karee Litke, Roelf & Janice Ruffner, Kurt & Lori Simmons, Jim & Johnnie Sue McDonald, Pat & Gloria McMahan and Phillip & Sherry Johnson, who is currently preaching for us.
Some of the original families helping start the church here were: Ted & Pauline Rice, Wayne & Katherine Grimes, Flavil & Edna Pruiett, A.D. & Naomi Eggleston, Creola P. Holt, Leonard & Pauline Stephenson, Wilson & Sis Andrews, Carmanell Nixon-Blackshear, Gary & Helen Jordan, George & Hazel Tackett, Verneal Little & daughters - Adele & Donna, and others.
The earliest elders of the church were Wayne Grimes, Flavil Pruiett, Ted Rice & Leonard Stephenson. Elders added later were: A.D. Eggleston, Jim Hardin, Forest Kirkes, Bob Lunsford, Max Richards, Stanley Vest & Derwin Wright. All the above elders have since passed on to their reward except Max Richards.
We have supported Edson Mutangadura of Zimbabwe, Africa for 54 years.
