History

The Fullerton Church of Christ

Information submitted by members.

Date: 1928

Walter Nelson (W.N.) and Ethel Bohannan came to Fullerton from Arkansas in 1928. There were no churches of Christ meeting in the town. They had to drive to other towns to attend services until they started meeting in the building at the corner of Harvard and Amerige. W.N. was the first preacher (but not full-time). W.N. and Jack Wood and someone with the last name of Kelly were among that first group of Christians who must've advertised by word of mouth & by various other ways to get people to come to services in Fullerton. Brother Ed Six remembers there being a big tent service (probably on the grounds of Hillcrest Park on Harbor) where "big name" preachers were brought in as guest speakers to reach people in the area.

Three of our earliest preachers, Bro. Holley, F.M. McGlassen, & W.N. Bohannan. Bro. Holley preached for the Fullerton Church of Christ Oct, Nov, & Dec. 1929. Bro. McGlassen of Pomona Ca. preached the first Sundays at the Fullerton Church for several months. Standing on the right is W.N. Bohannan, the grandfather of one of our current, and long time members Ethel Carter. This picture was taken in front of their Harvard home during Bro. Holley's stay in Fullerton.

L to R: Bro. Holley, F.M. McGlassen, W.N. Bohannan.

Brother Seth E. Rehkop was the first full-time preacher for Fullerton (from a church bulletin found from 1934).

1935-1936

Harry Roberts Fox Sr. began preaching.

1939

Jack Woods and Bud Scott were the first elders.

1940

As Alvin Rogers recalls, he, his wife Myrtle, & son Ronnie arrived in Fullerton in 1940. Dewey Hays was preaching at that time. Weldon Bennett came next. He preached for two years.

Ethel remembers that the baptistry in the Lemon/Orange building was under the floor--under the pulpit. Whenever someone responded to the invitation they would have to lift off the lecturne and raise up a lid to the baptistry. She remembers Brother Roy Burns who assisted with preparing the baptistry.

A late 1940's group photo of children attending daytime vacation bible school.

1942

Gus Eoff preached two years.

1944

Albert Phillips preached for two years.

Sonja (Burns) Fulkerson recalls her dad and mom Roy and Una Burns becoming members after studying with Weldon Bennet's family. Sonja and her sister Carol (Burns) Rosen were going to church with Weldon's daughter Connie.

1946

Elbert Garrison preached for two years.

1951-1954

Roy Burns became an Elder.

1954

Afton Stephens preached from 1954 to 1964.

LeeElla Wallace, daughter of noted preacher, Foy E. Wallace, writes: " I believe Lenore and I attended the Fullerton church in the middle 50's until the middle 70's. We first met with them in the Amerige St. building. Afton was preaching then. We moved to the new building in Fullerton and I remember W.N. Bohannon was there at that time. My brother Wilson Wallace held a meeting in the 50's I think. Also when Afton started preaching he asked Jack Wood what he should preach and Jack said, "just preach your convictions" Afton said he went to Floyd Thompson to get some convictions."

During those years Fred Amick and David Amick and Clyde Goff were preachers and I don't remember the names of any others. Harry Reynolds taught a Bible class. I taught the Ladies Class on Sunday morning for about 15 years. Essie Carter was in my class, as well as Lucy Hill, Sally Pettigrew, Louise Hutchison, Una Burns, Myrtle Rogers, Lizzie Wood, Lenore King, Rosalee Ward, Josie Grubaugh, Glenda Jones and others I can't remember. Also Irene Lucas and Sister Reynolds. My Dad held a meeting on Amerige St. and that's when Lenore and I placed membership--Mid 50's."

1955

Alvin Rogers and Max Mitchell are added as elders.

Alvin served until 1981.

1958

The new building was started at 2121 E. Wilshire. Five of the Eugene Laney family members were killed in a car accident and their funeral was held at the 2121 E. Wilshire Church building.

Once a couple of pigeons or doves somehow flew into the building when - the doors were opened during Irma Easley's cleaning, probably - and roosted on a rod that spanned the opening above the baptistry, but was very high up near the ceiling. The preacher took advantage of this distraction to teach a lesson on Jesus' baptism.

1960

Members moved into the new building.

Photo taken June 23, 1968. W.N. & Ethel Bohannan in front of the church building at 2121 E. Wilshire.