Prior to 1898, there was no established congregation of the Churches of Christ in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas. In 1898, residents who were New Testament Christians began meeting in their homes. Then, for a while, they met in the old courthouse, until they were able to locate their first permanent meeting place on Leopard Street.

In 1907, the church moved into a small wooden building located at the corner of Furman Avenue and Staples Street. This building was destroyed in the great hurricane of 1919. Under the eldership of brother C. W. Sewell and brother J. M. Davis, a new stucco building was erected in 1920 on the same site where the old wooden building had previously stood. This new building was expanded in 1925 under the eldership of brother C. W. Sewell, brother J. M. Davis, and brother Petty.

Brother Sewell also served as the congregation’s preacher during these years. Besides brother Sewell, other men who served as preachers for the Furman Avenue congregation were Floyd Berry, J. E. Wainwright, Arthur Slater, L. E. Carpenter, R. L. Whiteside, brother Strickland, Tillman Pope, J. B. Nelson, E. S. Fitzgerald, W. T. Vaughn, Wilbur White, Robert Simmons, G. S. Westbrook, and Henry McBroom.

As the years passed and the membership increased, the need for more room became evident. A group of members left Furman Avenue and started the Hillcrest congregation. The Furman Avenue elders at this time were brothers E. F. Holland, W. F. Cottingham, and L. L. Harris. Years later, the Hillcrest congregation merged with the church in Annaville to form what is now the Arlington Heights Church of Christ. The Hillcrest building was then used by a group of African American brethren as their meeting place.

In 1932, another group left Furman Avenue to begin what is now the Ayers Street congregation. In 1949, a group of Furman Avenue members joined with others to start the Norton Street church, and in 1955 others helped start the Windsor Park congregation.

The facilities at Furman Avenue were still inadequate, however, so the elders, brothers Odus Stephen, Minor Deason, Guy Ford, and H. S. Patterson, appointed a committee of men to locate and purchase suitable property on which to erect a new building. The present site was chosen at the corner of Weber Road and Tiger Lane, just across the street from the old Mary Carroll High School campus.

Ground-breaking ceremonies were held in October 1959, and construction on the new facility began that same month. Construction on the new building continued steadily during the following months. Construction was completed in May 1960, and worship services were held in the new auditorium for the first time on May 8 of that year. The old Furman Avenue building was sold and eventually restored by the new owners. The building was standing on its original site until it was demolished around 2019.

Brother Henry McBroom began preaching for the Furman Avenue congregation in 1959. He remained with the congregation at the new location until the end of 1963.

In early 1964, George Pledger and his wife, Evelyn came to Weber Road. Brother Pledger and his family moved to Corpus Christi in January 1964, and George began working with the Weber Road Church of Christ on February 1 of that year. George Pledger served the Weber Road congregation from 1964 until he retired in 2010. The ability to remain with one congregation for 46 years certainly says a lot about the integrity and sound gospel preaching of this man. Mark Hammitt and his wife, Denise, came to Weber Road in July of 1990 and he served as the Youth Minister until taking the preaching position in June of 2010 and still serves the congregation in that capacity.

By 1966, the new Weber Road facility was already plagued with the problem of inadequate space. To remedy this situation, an upstairs balcony was built above the existing auditorium. This new balcony increased both auditorium and classroom seating capacities.

On August 3, 1970, hurricane Celia hit the Texas coast packing winds up to 170 miles per hour. The Weber Road Church of Christ building suffered severe damage as a result. In 1972, plans were begun for the construction of a new auditorium and more classrooms. This expansion was to be added on to the existing building. Construction began in April 1972 and was completed in August 1973, resulting in our present building. A major renovation took place in 1998 to the auditorium and it has a seating capacity of approximately 520 people.

In addition to the auditorium, the current facilities also include classroom space to conduct Bible classes for all ages. The church’s fellowship hall is equipped with kitchen facilities, and there a library and teacher’s workroom in the old part of the building. We are also excited about major work done in 2003 to our courtyard which made it even more beautiful. Other remodeling is being considered to update and freshen up our facilities. Yes, our building is nice and comfortable, but we hope it is ultimately our members and their love for God that will encourage all to obey the Gospel and live as Christians daily.

During the 64 years that the Weber Road Church of Christ has existed, many men have served the congregation as elders. These men are Minor Deason, H. S. Patterson, V. W. Dodd, Odus Stephen, Guy Ford, James Holland, Thurman Windham, Harry Albright, Bill Bryan, L. V. Norris, Oran Chapman, Les Wheeler, Doyle Harper, Frank Hale, Larry O’Rear, Herb Dawson, Jim Austin, Burt Custer, and Roy Clint, Cary Battles, Mark Drew, Richard Patterson, Perry Wilson, George Pledger, Grant Jackson, Dale Alexander and Randy Calloway . The present elders of the Weber Road Church of Christ are Mike Klotz and Grant Jackson.

Many men have served as deacons and those who presently serve in this capacity are: Steven Bailey, Jimmy Crowe, Bruce Elam, Justin Esslinger, Gary Hannah, Daniel Honig, Russell Hooten, Larry Sanchez, and Manuel Mungia. These men serve the church in many important works and are instrumental to the encouragement and involvement of the entire church.

Weber Road has also had an active Youth Program which has benefitted many young people, their families and the whole congregation. Full-time Youth Ministers for the last 41 years have included: Paul and Susan O’Rear (1983-1989); Mark and Denise Hammitt (1990-2010); Christian and Brittany Torres (2012-2017); Kenneth and Jennifer Pinckley (2018-2023). Stephen & Erin Charlebois served as a part-time minister of our Families for Christ program from 2016-2023. Trey and Michelle Fricks has served as our interim Youth Minister since 2023.

We have been blessed with several ladies who have served as our part or full-time office assistants through the years. These include Evelyn Pledger (1964-2010), Randi Jackson (2010-2015) and Charlene Hooten (2010-present).

For many years, the Weber Road Church of Christ has been alive and well in Corpus Christi, Texas. As we begin this century, we not only look back on the wonderful memories of years past, but we must also look forward to the work that lies ahead, the goals that are to be achieved during this century, and into eternity.

“ The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” – Matthew 9:37-38

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4 “Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.” I Timothy 4:16

[Much of this information was compiled through the loving efforts of a number of people, principally the late Sister Jewell Holland, the late Brother James W. Austin, Grant Jackson, and others. Our deepest thanks are extended to those who endeavored to record our heritage for future generations – The Elders]