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Prall Street Church of Christ
When the Wallace Family moved to Lexington in 1954, they searched for a home among the African American Churches of Christ. The church they found and attempted to attend let them know that they were not welcome. So, a new congregation of the Church of Christ was established in 1956 at the Wallace residence, located at 825 Whitney Avenue.
Along with Brother Theodore C. and Sister Bonnie G. Wallace, and their eight children, Sister Pearl Young, Sister Earlease Bowles, and Sister Florence Polk worshipped each Sunday morning. Wallace brothers, Ted, Thomas, and Edgar took up the collection and administered the Lord’s Supper. During Sunday worship, Brother Theodore Wallace led us in singing and taught a Bible lesson; on Wednesday evenings, we had Bible study, and when we had questions, we posed them, and received answers. Not long after, the house became too small to accommodate those attending, so it was time to begin looking for a “meeting house.”
Our growing congregation found a quaint little wooden church at 131 Prall Street, then called The Prall Street Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, which was led by Pastor, Reverend O. B. Garner. Pastor Garner and East Second Street Christian Church did not demand financing, but instead accepted payments, and did not attempt to get rich. They set a price and when the price was met – without interest – we owned our little meeting house. It was then time to spruce up the building.
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Brother Wallace, his sons, Deacon Paul Gray, Brother Simmons, and others worked diligently to make the building “better than nice.” The renovations included: brick on the outside, carpet on the inside, new windows, heat and air, a welcoming little concrete porch, with wrought-iron, an inside baptistry, male, and female restrooms, a large kitchen, with a restaurant-sized stove, and a large counter for serving. We were worshipping in our new building and the congregation was growing. We also maintained an ongoing fellowship with Reverend O. B. Garner and his congregation, and Reverend Gentry.
Brother Theodore Wallace’s first ordination as an evangelist and all subsequent ordinations were administered by Elders Brad Turner, Walter Johnson, and Wingfield. Brother Wallace then ordained a number of Deacons to assist with the work, here in Lexington and other cities. After Brother Wallace’s ordination as Bishop, overseer of the Churches of Christ (under their auspices), he ordained Brothers Thomas C. and Bernard W. Wallace, as Deacons. To assist in overseeing the work of the church, Deacon Bernard Wallace was sent to Bakersfield, California and Deacon Thomas Wallace to Harlan, Kentucky. Bishop Wallace also ordained many others to service.
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During this period, the Church began to buy other properties surrounding the Prall Street Church. After Bishop Theodore Wallace died and Elder Thomas C. Wallace was ordained the new overseer and Bishop, the Church sold all acquired properties, and bought land at 1690 Russell Cave Road, to erect a new building. We broke ground in 1998. Bishop Thomas C. Wallace and Bishop Bernard W. Wallace, who was ordained overseer for the west coast, remembered Bishop Theodore Wallace saying, like Christ told the Apostles, “Greater things will you do than I have done.” They began building the church.
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Many in the church assisted in building the new meeting house, under the supervision of Bishop Thomas Wallace, our Pastor. These hardworking and dedicated members included: Deacon Arthur Brisco, Elder David Simmons, Elder William Davidson, Elder Donald Renfro, Deacon William Bowles, Sister Angela Ray, Sister Brenda Renfro, Minister Rhonda Oldham, Sister Patricia Wallace, Brother Steve Byrd, Minister Greg Parks, and several others. Sister Patsy Berry and others brought food for the workers.
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New Birth Church of Christ, Christian Ministries, Incorporated
In August 2000 at the Annual Meeting, the new Church was dedicated and the name changed from Prall Street Church of Christ, to New Birth Church of Christ, Christian Ministries, Incorporated. After much study, music was added to the worship experience, and later a choir, Praise Team, and women became ordained leaders. Many classes were also added to the curriculum.
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We are still being led by the Holy Spirit.
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We’ve Come This Far by Faith – and We Are Still Growing.
Pray with Us!