Grapeland’s Little White Church Seeks Support At Annual Meeting

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

GRAPELAND — For more than 130 years, the small white building with the tall steeple has been a familiar part of Grapeland’s landscape.

Known locally as the “Little White Church,” the historic structure will open its doors Monday, Sept. 21, for the annual membership meeting of First Christian Memorial, Inc. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at 213 North Market Street.

The evening will include congregational singing, refreshments and an opportunity to meet Dr. Kelly O’Sullivan, the new superintendent of Grapeland Independent School District. O’Sullivan will speak about the school system and its role in the community.

Although the building began as a church, it no longer serves as an active congregation and is not affiliated with a particular denomination. Today, it is maintained as a community and event center whose programs reflect the Christian heritage of the people who built and worshiped there.

The building was constructed in 1895 at another location in Grapeland. According to the history maintained by First Christian Memorial, early settlers Charlie Walling and J.N. Story were responsible for the structure’s construction.

In 1915, church members attempted to move the building closer to downtown. The effort was stopped after the structure had been moved only a short distance, when it became clear that continuing would likely destroy the 20-year-old building. Members eventually purchased the property near the present location, where the building has stood for more than a century.

The church served Grapeland families for generations. A medallion on the front of the building was dedicated during the city’s centennial celebration in 1972.

By 1990, the congregation had dwindled and members voted to disband. Rather than allow the historic building to close permanently, members formed First Christian Memorial, Inc. as a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the structure and keeping it available for community use.

For the past 36 years, a volunteer board has managed that responsibility. The building continues to host weddings, reunions, celebrations, memorial services, special programs and other gatherings.

The board said the building’s continuing use is important not only because of its history, but also because it remains a welcoming place where people can gather. While the programs honor the Christian legacy of the founders, First Christian Memorial is intended to serve the wider community.

Maintaining a historic building, however, brings ongoing expenses. During the past year, the organization paid for the removal of bees and repairs to the steeple. Utility and insurance costs have also continued to rise.

The building now faces ceiling damage and a roof leak that must be addressed before additional deterioration occurs.

Those needs are the reason the organization is encouraging residents to renew their memberships, join for the first time or make an additional donation. Annual membership levels are $25 for an individual, $35 for a family and $100 for a business.

Checks may be mailed to:

First Christian Memorial, Inc.

P.O. Box 876

Grapeland, Texas 75844

Membership fees and donations may also be made online at www.firstchristianmemorial.org.

The organization also encourages residents to consider the Little White Church when planning weddings, reunions, memorial services, celebrations or other gatherings. Renting the building helps provide another source of support for its preservation.

For longtime residents, the building may be connected to family history, a wedding, a funeral, a reunion or a memorable community program. For newer residents, it represents an opportunity to become part of the effort to preserve one of Grapeland’s best-known landmarks.

The annual meeting is open to the public, and the board encourages anyone who values Grapeland’s history or wants to learn more about the building to attend.

Every membership helps First Christian Memorial keep the Little White Church safe, beautiful and available for future generations.

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]