Bill Potter to discuss the possibility of forming a congregation in Elkton. Worship services were first held in the West Side building on September 12, 1965. This is not the case with West Side Church of Christ, Elkton, Kentucky. Those who were responsible for its organization were alive when this history was written, and they contributed to it. On Thursday evening, March 3, 1964, sixteen members
of the Church of Christ met in the home of Mr. William (Bill) Potter, Route 3, Elkton, to discuss the possibility of starting a Church of Christ in Elkton which would support orphans’ homes, the national radio program called The Herald of Truth, and similar good works. The following three weeks were spent in much deliberation, discussion, and prayer. March 26, 1964, Thomas Leathers, Wilmon Moore, Vernon Addison, Wayne Simpson, Cecil Daniel, Roy Mosier, and Allen Spann met in the furniture store of Stanford Miller, on the Square in Elkton, to discuss financial arrangements. They decided to finance the buying of the site and the construction of a building by the sale of bonds. Meantime, they would hold services at the Elkton Elementary School. The new church was named West Side Church of Christ and worship services were held for the first time, on Sunday, March 29, 1964. There were 23 members of the Church present, with a combined attendance of 47 persons. In August, 1964, Forrest Rhoads of Nashville, Tennessee, a teacher of speech at David Lipscomb College, began preaching for the group. In mid-April, 1964, the fellowship purchased two acres of land on the south side of Highway 68, approximately 3Ž4 mile from town, from Mr. Rose. Security Bond Company of Fort Worth, Texas, provided a $40,000 bond issue. Continental Church Builders then were contacted, and the architect drew plans that would fit the needs of the congregation. The building consisted of an auditorium with a high ceiling with exposed beams, a seating capacity of 211, seven Sunday School rooms, a nursery, a large foyer, and two rest rooms. A baptistry with two dressing rooms, and a public address system were included. The building committee was composed of Stanford Miller, Chairman, Allen Spann, and Roy Mosier. The bond sale began May 1, 1965, and construction of the building was started the middle of June, 1965. West Side continued to meet at Elkton Elementary School until September 12, 1965. The brick veneer building was completed, and a gospel meeting began on that day, with a dedication service in the afternoon. James Watkins of Nashville, Tennessee, was guest speaker for both occasions. The Church had grown to a membership of 28 by this time. Forrest Rhoads worked with the congregation until December, 1965, when Donald E. Hall, a native of Graves County, Kentucky, replaced him. He was the first full-time minister for a Church of Christ in the history of Todd County. In a special service on Sunday afternoon, September 25, 1966, Allen Spann, Tony Camp, and Stanford Miller were appointed Elders of the West Side Church of Christ. Fifteen months later (December, 1967), Billy McGhee, Roy Mosier, and Douglas Rose were appointed deacons. Wilmon Moore and Wayne Simpson were added to the deaconate in January, 1969; also in 1969, one Sunday School room was added. August 17, 1970, Donald Hall moved to Henderson, Kentucky, and the following September 14, 1970, Jim Morris began his work with the congregation as minister. He was a native of Alabama. When this history was written, the West Side Church of Christ had an average Sunday morning attendance above 100 and an average Sunday contribution of approximately $400.00, and an excellent Sunday School program. Preachers that have held meetings at West Side Church of Christ other than James Watkins were Hollis Miller, Louisville, Kentucky; John Vaughn, White Bluff, Tennessee; Charles McDonald, Clarksville, Tennessee; Plomer Hunter, Hopkinsville, Kentucky; and Jim Morris, minister at that time, in Pembroke, Kentucky. In September, 1970, plans were made for the construction of a four bedroom, brick veneer parsonage on the church property, east of the church building. Billy McGhee, Douglas Rose, and Wayne Criswell composed the building committee. Other families in West Side Church besides those listed above are Mr. Horace Mansfield, Mrs. Valla Camp, Mrs. Nancy Karen Camp, Mr. Lilburn Rager, Mrs. Ann Shumate, Mrs. Karen Camp, Mr. David Sweeney, Mr. C. Fletcher, Mr. John Q. Hite, III, Mr. John (Buddy) Brown, Mrs. Judy Powell, Mr. Glenn Sims, Mr. Joe McPherson, Mr. Everett Miller, Mr. Denver Parmley, Mr. Edd Denny Crouch, Mrs. Pernie Duncan, Mr. Wesley Coffman, Mrs. Warden Hall, Mrs. Dianne Higgins, Mrs. Eva May Simms, John Ricchuite, Gayle H. Ricchuite, Beth Standard, Miss Mildred Eaton, Mrs. Virgie Criswell, and Mr. Billy Fowler.
