Church History

The History of Christ Gospel Church, Dallas

Rev. B.R. Hicks

In June of 1961, Rev. Dave Rich held a revival at Oak Cliff Assembly of God, at the direction of Rev. B. R. Hicks, founder and director of Christ Gospel Churches, Int., Inc., in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Rev. Dave Rich

From that revival, a group formed who wanted to walk closer to God and study the teachings of Rev. Hicks. This group began to meet in the home of Don and Willie Brown for prayer and services.

Rev. Dave Rich returned to the Dallas area to hold a tent revival on Military Parkway from July 30 to August 21, 1961. The small group who had been meeting at the Brown's home attended this revival.

Lucille Gilbert, who participated in theses meetings, says that this small group started attending Rev. Byrd’s church, with the expectation that he would be following the Crucified Way message as taught by Rev. B.R. Hicks. She stated that he failed to follow Rev. Hicks' teachings due a conflict in beliefs on water baptism.

The small group met in homes for prayer and traveled to Ft. Worth to attend services there until Rev. Mike and Joan Sullivan were sent to Dallas in 1963 to pastor the newly formed congregation. When the Sullivans looked for a place to live, the Gilberts offered their vacant rental house to them.

The first service for the Dallas church was held in that home on 2227 Scotland Drive, Dallas, Texas, in 1963. Rev. Mike Sullivan was the first pastor, and he and his wife, Joan, lived in the house using the large living room as the meeting area. Daily prayer meetings were held, as well as services throughout the week.

As the church continued to grow, a building was purchased at 453 E. Woodin Blvd. in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. The first service was held in this new location on June 2, 1963.

Other pastors who served the Dallas church in the building on Woodin Blvd.:

Rev. Pat and Bob Collins
August 29, 1963 - November 1, 1964

Rev. Don and Kathleen McKay
First came to the church while the Collins took a Sabbatical in June and July, 1964

Rev. Charles Quick pastored from November 1, 1964 – January 3, 1965.

Rev. Otha and Pauline Priddy
January 5, 1965 – June 26, 1966

The Dallas church, with the Priddys
and Rev. Hicks, ministering in 1965

Rev. Till and Bea Carter
June 26, 1966 – February 19, 1967

Rev. Don and Kathleen McKay
February 21, 1967 – May 1, 1983

In October, 1970, the church in Oak Cliff was sold and the congregation moved to 400 N. Prairie Creek Rd. in Dallas. The street was named Old Seagoville Rd. when the building was originally purchased.

On May 1, 1983, after serving the Dallas church for 16 years, Rev. Don and Kathleen McKay, and their children Don, Steven and Marilee, moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana, to serve the headquarters church.

Other pastors who served the Dallas church in the building on Prairie Creek:

Rev. Charles and Debra Hill
May 1, 1983 - March 5, 1987
(leaving to serve the headquarters church)

Rev. Ken and Sandy Matthews
November 3, 1988 - May 23, 1990
(leaving to serve headquarters church)

Rev. Don and Kathleen McKay returned to be pastors of the Dallas church on May 23, 1990.

In 1994 another Christ Gospel Church in the Dallas area, pastored by Rev. Pete and Brenda Giardina, closed its doors. The members of this congregation merged with the Dallas congregation, bringing many members with a desire to grow in God, and who have served the church in several capacities over the years.

In 1997, the building on Prairie Creed Rd. was sold and the congregation moved to a rental building in Balch Springs. The church had purchased property in eastern Dallas County, intending to build there. It was later determined that this location was not feasible, so the property was sold.

In May, 1998, the Dallas congregation merged with the congregation that met at the Christ Gospel Church on Precinct Line in Hurst, pastored by Rev. Stephen McKay. Rev. Don McKay, Sr. became the pastor for this new combined congregation. Rev. Stephen McKay assisted his father, but would eventually move to Kenner, Louisiana, to pastor.

The Dallas congregation would continue to worship in Hurst for 5 years, but the distance that many of the members traveled caused much hardship. After prayer and counsel, the church voted to move to Mesquite, a more central location for most.

Faithline Assembly

The Hurst building was sold in February, 2003. While the new building was being built in Mesquite, the congregation was invited to worship at Faithline Assembly by Pastor Steve Wallace, using their facilities between Faithline's Sunday services. He offered his building out of gratitude for the time that he spent at River Falls Christian Academy, which was a private school that was held in the Prairie Creek church.

After 14 months, the new church building at 1007 Barnes Bridge Rd. in Mesquite was completed. The first service was held on Resurrection Day, April 11, 2004. Rev. Don McKay, Jr. served as the General Contractor and many church members were employed or volunteered to create this beautiful building.

The Dallas church celebrated 50 years as a congregation in September, 2011.

After a combined 40 years of service to the Dallas church, Rev. Don and Kathleen McKay retired as pastors in April, 2014, where they remain as faithful and supportive members, along with several of their children and grandchildren.

Rev. Russell and Misty Swinney became the new pastors of the Dallas church. Their first official service was held on May 4, 2014.

The Swinneys were members of the Dallas church at the time of the McKay’s retirement and were voted into the position of pastors by the Board of Directors and congregation. Rev. Russell Swinney had been serving as an associate minister, VP of the Board of Directors and Adult Class Sunday School teacher. Rev. Misty Swinney had been serving as the church Treasurer and an honorary member of the Board of Directors.

On December 7, 2014, another Christ Gospel Church in the Mesquite area, pastored by Rev. Glenn and Carol Causey, closed its doors. This congregation merged with the Dallas congregation, bringing many people with a heart to serve and grow in the Lord.

The Dallas church has been blessed by the Lord with spiritual growth, natural growth and a beautiful building to worship God.

The Dallas church praises God for His guidance and love, and gives Rev. B.R. Hicks honor for being their mentor and leader these many years.