History of Parkgate Community Church

In the early 1950s, several families attending the Central Park Church of God in Houston felt the need for a congregation in Pasadena, Texas. This began a search for suitable property. On August 21, 1950, the Central Park Church of God provided the earnest money for two acres of land located at 602 East Southmore in Pasadena. The first service was held February 8, 1951 in the home of Wayne and Ruby Hamon. Eight people attended this simple prayer meeting that initiated a wonderful journey of faith.

The congregation held a groundbreaking ceremony in the spring of 1952 to begin construction of the first building of what would be called Southmore Church of God. The first Sunday service was May 2, 1952 in what would eventually become the church’s fellowship hall. Thirty-one people were present for this service. They sat on 2x8 foot planks held up by boxes because the pews had not yet arrived for installation. Pastor J. C. Sullivan officiated at this service. He served as a bi-vocational pastor until 1954, when his business moved to Ft. Worth, Texas.

Pastor Eugene Morrison was the called as the first full-time pastor in 1954. The sanctuary was built under his leadership and was dedicated in 1959. The sanctuary was built at a cost of $60,000 and seated 250 people.

Pastor David Cox was called to be the church’s senior pastor in 1960. Dave was a dynamic preacher and the church experienced a rapid rate of growth. A brick educational building was added to the church’s facility in 1965. An addition to the sanctuary was added in 1968 that included a chapel to increase sanctuary capacity, a dedicated office area, and classrooms. Soon the church was “bursting at the seams.”

By 1973, it had become apparent that further expansion would be necessary. Planning began to purchase land adjoining the Southmore property. After much discussion, it was determined that this purchase was not a viable option and the church began to consider relocating.

A 12.4-acre tract of land was found in what was then an undeveloped area of Pasadena. It was located at 3715 Preston Road (later to become Preston Avenue). With God’s gracious help, the church was able to purchase and then dedicate it on October 6, 1974. This day was also the last Sunday of Pastor Cox’s ministry with us.

Dr. Dwight Grubbs, a professor at Gulf Coast Bible College in Houston, served as the church’s interim pastor for almost two years. In many ways it is strange to refer to Dr. Grubbs as an interim pastor – one, because of the length of his pastorate and two, because of the spiritual growth and leadership he brought to the congregation.

Pastor Tom Malbone was called to be the senior pastor of the church in the summer of 1976. Tom’s leadership, the church initiated a capital funds campaign to raise monies for future construction of the Preston Avenue site. Monies were also raised for extensive repairs and modification of the Southmore facilities. He remained as pastor until July 1981.

Our next senior pastor, John Spear, had been a Pastor of Youth for the Southmore Church of God while he attended Gulf Coast Bible College during the time Dr. Grubbs was our interim pastor. He assumed the position of senior pastor in January 1982 and he served until August 1987.

Dr. Ron Duncan was called to be the church’s senior pastor in January 1988. By 1990, Ron had led the church to form a Facilities Development Committee to proceed with the sale of the Southmore property, develop a master plan for the Preston Avenue property, and secure financing for the relocation from the Southmore property to the Preston Avenue site. This was an exciting and faith-stretching time. Through capital funds campaigns and a bond program, the monies were raised to relocate. The experience of relocating provided a wonderful demonstration of God’s grace and the unity of the fellowship in achieving the common goal set before them. The culmination of all these efforts was the first service of the Parkgate Community Church on August 6, 1995. A special “Homecoming and Dedication” was held September 24, 1995 to honor and thank the past and present members who made this ministry possible and to dedicate the facilities for God’s purpose and design.

In the fall of 2001, Dr. Duncan was invited by the Ministries Council of the Church of God (Anderson, IN) to become the General Director of Church of God Ministries, Inc. This was a bittersweet time. On the one hand, the Parkgate congregation was happy to see the selection of such an able person as Ron to lead the Church of God into the 21st century. However, the church was sad to lose the very capable and enriching leadership he brought to Parkgate.

Our journey toward God, with God, and for God was not over. In April 2003, Parkgate Community Church called the Pastor Jim Feirtag to become our next senior pastor. At the time of his call, Jim was completing his Master of Divinity degree at Anderson University’s School of Theology. Upon his graduation, he began his ministry as Parkgate’s senior pastor in June 2003. He continues the legacy that is Parkgate Community Church. Come, “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).