A Timeline of University Christian Church

    • 1903: Mrs. M.M. Blanks attends convention at Chatauqua, NY and meets Dr. Herbert Willett of the Michigan Bible Chair and Dr. Charles A. Young of the Virginia Bible Chair

    • 1904: Texas Bible Chair founded; Mrs. Blanks deeds property at 21st & University Avenue to the Christian Women Board of Missions for the Texas Bible Chair at the University of Texas

    • 1905: Dr. Frank L. Jewett begins teaching TBC classes in September in borrowed space

    • 1908: Two TBC buildings completed; courses taught in new buildings and accredited by UT

    • 1908-1945: Courses continue and increase in popularity

    • 1945: World War II ends; veterans return home and use GI benefits at UT

    • 1946: Dr. Jewett retires; TBC hires Rev. Paul Wassenich as the new director

    • November 3, 1946: First Sunday worship service of University Christian Church held in TBC building with 11 founding members, 20 student members, 16 associate members, and a larger group of students and friends; Dr. Wassenich served as the unpaid, temporary pastor of the new church effort

    • December 12, 1946: Newly-elected UCC Board displayed interest in mission work by establishing a “Tillotson College Loan Fund” to help support the nearby Black college (later to become Huston-Tillotson University)

    • September 1947: Rev. T.W. Sisterson becomes first paid minister

    • Fall 1947: F. Winston “Windy” Savage, Director of the Music Committee, held UCC’s first choir rehearsal — founding one of the strongest and most enduring ministries of University Christian Church

    • Early 1948: UCC began to discuss a new building to rise on the site of the TBC; a first drawing was made by Robert L. White, a Professor of Architecture at UT

    • July 1948: UCC’s first building fund launched

    • November 1948: Rev. Sisterson leaves

    • April 1949: Rev. Lawrence Bash arrives in Austin

    Read more about UCC in the 1940s here.

    • 1950: Funding campaign begins

    • 1952: Fundraising “Committee of 40” formed and visits UCC

    • 1953: Current sanctuary construction begins

    • June 28, 1953: Rev. Neil Guy to be ordained; UCC’s first ordination service

    • May 23, 1954: Current sanctuary dedicated. Click here to see the invitation. Click here to see Sara Hilgers’ diary entry about the day. Click here for a typed version.

    • 1956: First annual Christmas Pageant directed by Roy Cates

    • 1958: Charles Cox becomes Director of the Texas Bible Chair

    • Fall 1959: Construction begins on Education Building, Offices, and Chapel

    • December 1959: Rev. Bash accepts call to Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, submits resignation to UCC

    • January 1974: Rev. Howland resigns

    • August 1974: Dr. Harold Dowler called to UCC

    • January 1977: Clay Boyer begins “team ministry” with Harold Dowler

    • Fellowship events this decade include a UCC basketball team in the City of Austin’s Parks & Recreation basketball program; the Soup & Sandwich lunch/speaker program; summer camp at Camp Christian; and church retreats, such as one at Mo Ranch attended by 130 people

    • 1981: Endowment for Creative Ministry (ECM) announced

    • July 1982: Dr. Dowler resigned from UCC, taking a call in Ardmore, OK

    • July 1983: ECM Presentation of “God’s Trombones,” Barbara Jordan & William Warfield, narrators

    • August 1983: Dr. George Ervin Crain becomes senior minister

    • October 1983: Established Sunday school class becomes known as “The Seekers;” class still meets today

    • April 1984: Burned mortgage for educational wing

    • 1986: “A Year of Celebration” joint event for UCC (1946-1986) and Texas Bible Chair (TBC) (1905-1985); See picture 1 and picture 2

    • 1987: TBC ends role teaching UT Bible courses

    • September 1987: Soup and Sandwich student ministry continues

    • March 1990: Endowment for Creative Ministry (ECM) presents lectures by Eugene Boring

    • January 1991: ECM brings “Servant Christ” sculpture to Narthex

    • February 1991: In the Time Appointed anthem by William Mathias, commissioned by ECM and dedicated to UCC, premiers with multiple church choirs performing

    • May 1991: Bell choir founded

    • November 1994: Sanctuary dedication after renovation

    • November 1996: 50th anniversary celebration

    • Also this decade:

      • Adopt-a-Student program active;

      • Bible studies;

      • Concert Cafe Wednesdays at noon in the sanctuary

      • outreach activities like CROP Walk, Habitat for Humanity, Hands on Housing, and donations to Faith Food Pantry and DOMI (Disciples Outreach to the Mentally Ill); UCC hosted & fed homeless teenagers on freeze nights

      • Fellowship activities such as CWF (Christian Women’s Fellowship) events; picnics, Sunday School parties, outings, and youth events

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