Rome Church of Christ

It was in August 1949 that the Tenth Avenue and 21st Street Church of Christ held a tent meeting on the grounds of what is now our upper parking lot approximately where our old auditorium sits. This meeting was for the purpose of measuring the interest and possibilities of establishing a congregation in the communities of Rome-Proctorville, Ohio. A gospel meeting began on July 31, 1949 with Brother Paul Gray, the minister at the Tenth Ave. and 21st Street congregation as the speaker. Brother Sam Galloway, a member at Tenth Ave. and 21st Street led the singing. Each night the tent was full and interest was very good. The meeting continued through August 13, 1949, three were baptized, but none were ever members at Rome. The land on which the tent was erected was owned by Sister Chloe Galloway.

With the help of 10th Avenue elders (Earl Pinkerton, Paul Hesson, and Ernest Stewart) worked very hard in assisting us with our work in the beginning. There were many meetings some held at the home of Jack and Lolita Harber. It was in their home one Sunday afternoon it was decided to make plans to proceed, it was decided to meet with the intent of establishing the congregation. The first problem encountered was WHERE to meet. The fair board that controlled the Lawrence County Fairgrounds gave us permission to use one of their buildings. It is believed the first service was held around the first of September 1949. No official record of those present for the first meeting was kept, recollection of those present and from a membership book dated 1950 list the following as charter members:

Burke & Iva Callicoat, Bernard & Jenny Edwards, Chloe Galloway, Jack & Lolita Harber, Irvin & Claudia Hesson, Kermit & Hilda Stephens, Mrs. Mary Shriver and Mrs. Elsie Wilgus. (It is believed Bro. Ernest Stewart preached the first Sunday morning.)