05/05/2026
After spending his entire life as a working cowboy, WHCCโs Founding Pastor, Cliff Hargrove, surrendered his life to full-time ministry in 1976. He attended seminary extension classes and obtained a Pastoral Ministries degree from Southwestern Seminary. He held Youth Pastor, Senior Pastor and Interim Pastor positions in several churches in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico from 1976-2004.
In April 2004, Pastor Cliff and his partner in life and ministry, Ms Kita, left their roots and their family in the Texas Panhandle, and traveled south to the Texas Hill Country. They stored all their possessions and brought nothing with them but faith in a Promise that God would lead and provide what would be needed to establish a new churchโฆ. Western Heritage Cowboy Church. Cliff and Kita are a great example of walking by faith. Without them, WHCC simply wouldnโt exist.
Motherโs Day 2004 was WHCCโs official first Sunday meeting. There were six people in attendance at the Helotes Festival grounds. WHCC met there for several months before moving to the Diamond W Longhorn Ranch, just outside of Helotes on Hwy 16. While meeting there, the growing congregation began to search for property to establish as WHCCโs permanent home.
The Lightning Ranch (on FM 1283 in Pipe Creek) was for sale and the church family was graciously allowed to meet there while contemplating the purchase of the property (Summer 2005-Late 2006). While meeting there, the church was gifted the guts of a 16,000 sq ft metal building. Not long after that, the church was gifted 19 acres of undeveloped land just 6 miles down the road, which is where the WHCC Campus is located today.
As the WHCC property was cleared and developed, the congregation (roughly 120 people) met in a large, red & white circus tent for Sunday services (Late 2006-Spring 2008). In the heat, in the cold, in the wind... It mattered not. Some stood; Some in folding chairs; Some brought lawn chairs; Some sat in their car and we even had some listeners from their patio at home. Kidโs church met in a small storage shed (after the sound equipment and breakfast supplies were removed for the morning). Small group Bible studies met at the church office which was then located in a small strip center in Pipe Creek.
The WHCC church family moved into their permanent home, The Big Red Barn, on Easter Sunday 2008. Of course, the facility was bare bones at the time. The main structure was in place, but the interior was nothing more than metal studs outlining where rooms are, stacks of sheet rock waiting to be hung, very few chairs (most everyone brought their own chair in those days), no windows, no stage, no indoor plumbing, well ... you get the idea. Through slow and steady progress, the interior of The Big Red Barn was completed and the WHCC Family (and numerous visitors) now enjoy our beautiful facility for Sunday worship, weekday Bible studies and special events.
Along the way, The Lord also blessed us with additional buildings for the church office, Youth ministry and Kidโs ministry along with parsonages for our full-time Pastors and their families.
If youโre reading this, chances are your trail has crossed paths with the WHCC Family at some point. We exist to introduce you to Jesus, teach you how to receive Him as your personal Savior, and to provide Biblical support in the growth and development of your relationship with Him. This task isnโt always easy. In fact, some seasons are downright โtie-a-knot-in-the-end-of-your-rope-and-hold-onโ difficult. Seeing the life-altering power of God displayed in your lives will forever make it worth it.
We appreciate your continued attendance, financial contributions and prayerful support. To God be the glory!!!!!!
Join us on Sunday - WHCCโs 22nd birthday! Weโd love to worship THE LORD with you!
