Central Christian Church of Comanche

The church's first pastor went on to found a university. Addison Clark, born in 1842 in Titus County, served as a Confederate officer, then opened schools with his brother Randolph, first in Fort Worth and then at Thorp Spring, where they named Add-Ran College for the first syllables of their names. The school became Add-Ran Christian University and then Texas Christian University, though Clark opposed both name changes. He also opposed the 1895 move to Waco. He died at his daughter's home in Comanche in 1911 and was buried at Thorp Spring.

What the plaque says

Central Christian Church of Comanche In 1855, Dr. G. W. Montgomery came to Comanche from Mississippi. He built a log cabin near his home, holding religious services there. In the late 1860s and 1870s the building was used for both a church and a school. It is believed that most members of this church transferred their membership to the Central Christian Church of Comanche after Dr. Montgomery's death. Organized in 1894 by a visiting evangelist and 31 charter members, the Central Christian Church of Comanche shared services with the Presbyterians. The Christian church's first pastor was Addison Clark, later president of Texas Christian University. In 1896, the congregation purchased a badly damaged Baptist church building for $475. By 1904 the church had moved into a new building. Several beloved pastors have served the congregation, including ministerial students. When the church was without a pastor, members served as lay ministers. Church women, always active, helped to pay all financial debts on both church buildings, organized maintenance projects, and founded Christian womens' assocations. The members of the Central Christian Church of Comanche continue a tradition of active worship and service to the community. (1997)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Dublin Bottling Works — 20 mi
  The Erath County plant that bottled Dr Pepper with cane sugar from 1891 until a 2012 settlement ended its Dr Pepper license, and that still makes its own sodas the same way.
• Lake Brownwood State Park — 25 mi
  A CCC park on a reservoir that filled in a single flood before its dam was done, with stone cabins, a hilltop dance pavilion and a grand staircase climbed by dancers arriving by boat.

More markers nearby

• The Comanche Chief — steps away
• Old Cora Courthouse — steps away
• General Ashbel Smith, C.S.A. — steps away
• Robert Thomas Hill — steps away