Who's Who at First Colony Bible Chapel, Houston, TX

• First Colony Bible Chapel, Sugar Land, Fort Bend Co., Houston metro, TX (OB) 1893-current
  • Houston Gospel Hall 1893-1961; Louisiana Street Gospel Hall +1922-1961; Houston Gospel Chapel 1961-1965; Maplewood Bible Chapel 1966-1969; Braeburn Bible Chapel 1970-1991; First Colony Bible Chapel 1992?-current

Correspondents

• +1904-1911+: Joseph Jamison
• +1922-1930,1935-1937: Paul Christoph Doehring @ 2302 Louisiana St. (1871-1941)
• 1931-1955: H.W. Dedman @ 2302 Dallas St.
• 1956-1958: Leland D. Smith
• 1959-1965: Glen T. Lemon
• 1966-1968: Leland D. Smith, Jr.
• 1969-1978: Arthur L. Griffin
• 1979-1984: Irvin E. Headley
• 1985-current?: Ronald G. Brown
• 1987-current?: Richard Nohr

Families

Bowman family

• Jim Bowman 1940-1950's

Brown family

• Ronald G. Brown +1985-current+

Dedman family

• H.W. Dedman +1931-1955+. +1931-1948+ @ 4302 Dallas Ave; +1950+ @ 414 Union National Bank Building; +1954-1955+: 517 Union National Bank Building. L&L 1935:10-11 published a two-part article entitled "Grace" written by him.

Doehring family

In the 1910's, Paul was self-employed as a jewelry manufacturer with an office at 615 Main, then by 1923 at 1017 1/2 Capitol Ave., both locations have been absorbed by the new trophy 48-story LEED Platinum building downtown. In 1918, he and his wife Lulu resided at 2302 Louisiana, just a block from where the assembly met, and this is where the itinerant Keller brothers stayed in 1928.

His father-in-law, John Jasper Sweeney (1850-1925) was the founding president of the Sweeney Jewelry Co. in 1875. There is a "little wedge of greenery" today at the corners of Rusk, Capitol & Bagby streets which is known historically as the Sweeney Clock Triangle, as per the company's parent (since 1998), Finlay's. The clock was originally purchased in 1908 from Boston clockmaker Edward A. Howard (1813-1904), and it stood in front of the J.J. Sweeney & Co. jewelry store on the corner of Main & Prairie 1908-1928, which doubled as a hitching post, and the "authoritative timekeeper in downtown Houston for many years".

Howard was regarded as the "Dean of American watchmakers", the inventor of the "Howard clock" and allegedly the first to employ machinery in clock manufacturing for the purposes of low-cost enabling both poor and wealthy to own them, as per FindAGrave. His company also produced the "Howard & Davis" precision scales for the postal service and banking, sewing machines, watches and even a few fire engines. Also see Delaney Antique Clocks for more detail on this firm.

John Sweeney donated his Howard clock to the city in the 1920's after realizing an inability to move it to his later location at Capitol & Main, deemed a traffic hazard, and it spent a decade at the downtown farmers market, then a city maintenance courtyard, and to its present location in 1968 after being properly restored by the Houston chapter of the Colonial Dames of America.

L&L 1935-9: "Mr. P.C. Doehring of Houston was operated upon at Rochester, Minn. The operation was successful and he is now on the road to recovery."

In 1938, Paul was a corresponding editor for The Fields first year, along with Thomas Hill, W.H. McPhee, Roy E. Rapsch, R.W. Rycroft & Ruth H. Rainey. Primary editors were John Bloore, Hugh G. McEwen & Richard Hill. Paul continued in this role thru at least 1940.

• Paul Christoff Doehring, Sr. +1929-1937+ (b. 1871 Gardside/Millstadt/Centerville (now Cahokia Heights), St. Clair, IL - d. 1941 Houston, TX), a son of Rev. Carl/Charles Frederick Doehring (b. 1825 Esslingen/Stuttgart, Wurttemberg, Germany; emig. 1863; d. 1883 Plum Hill, Washington, IL) & Ursula Lydia Zimmerman Doehring (b. 1841 Canton Schaffhausen, Switzerland; emig. 1857; m. 1865 Franklin Co., MO; d. 1923 Chicago, Cook, IL). Carl was employed in 1870 as a "minister of the gospel" in Gardside, IL, then in 1880 as a "German Evangelical Minister" at Plum Hill, IL.
• 1st wife: Lula Belle Sweeney Doehring (b. 1881 TX - d. 1918 Houston, TX), daughter of John Jasper Sweeney (b. 1850 Jerseyville, Jersey, IL - d. 1925 Houston, TX) & Mary Ann Jamison Sweeney +1930 (b. 1856 Chenango, Brazoria, TX - d. 1930 Houston, TX). Lula died unexpectedly at the age of 37, her memorial was officiated in Houston by Joseph J. Jamison & Frederick Hillis, with pallbearers of P.J. Brown, J.D. Alexander, J. Dannenbaum, Alex Morrison, George Hamman & E.A. Wills. Our Record 1930-5 indicated "T.D.W. Muir spoke here in the Gospel Hall, Louisiana St. He attended by request the funeral of our aged and esteemed sister, Mrs. Sweeney."
• 2nd wife: Maria Roman Doehring (d. 1941 Houston, TX).
  • Dr. Carl Frederick Doehring (b. 1903 Houston, TX - d. 1965 Los Angeles, CA). In 1940, Dr. Doehring resided on Foothill Blvd. (containing the historic Route 66) in Pasadena, CA while employed as a physician, and the same in 1930 in Rochester, MN. He was also a World War One veteran.
  • Paul Doehring
  • Sweeney Doehring
  • Elma Doehring Gilbert (d. 1937 Tucson, AZ). Husband: Thomas Bruce "T.B." Gilbert. T.B. was a well-known itinerant preacher.
    • Thomas Bruce Gilbert, Jr. (b. 1929 Chicago, IL - d. 1937 Tucson, AZ.
      • L&L 1937-4: With the Lord: "Thomas Bruce Gilbert, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Bruce Gilbert, was born at Chicago, Ill., Nov. 24, 1929, and departed this life Sat. Mar. 27, 1937, after an illness of three weeks. In June 1934, his parents came to Tucson, Arizona, where he has since resided. When just a baby his parents gave him to the Lord desiring that he might be saved and be used in His service. During his illness the Lord assured their hearts that their child was in His hands. They left the decision of life or death with Him and now ask grace from Him to say, 'Thy will be done'. And to be able say with Job: 'The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.' He leaves to mourn his loss, besides his mother and father, one sister Mary Ann and a large circle of relatives and friends. Among the relatives who were present to share in this sorrow and bereavement were his grandfather Mr. P.C. Doehring and Mrs. Jamison both of Houston, Texas, and an aunt Mrs. R.A. Irvine of Chicago, Ill. The following poem was read at the large funeral:"
        • Thine and Mine:
          • "I closely held within my arms a jewel rare.
          • Never had one so rich and pure engaged my care.
          • Twas my own, my precious jewel, God gave it to me;
          • Twas mine, who else could care for it, so tenderly?
          • But the Master came one day, my gem to take.
          • I cannot let it go, I cried, my heart would break.
          • Nay, but the Master comes for it, to bear above
          • To deck His royal diadem, He comes in love.
          • But, Master, it is my treasure, my jewel rare.
          • I'll safely guard and keep it pure, and very fair;
          • If thou keep'st My gem, He said, it may be lost;
          • The threshold of My home, no thief has ever crossed.
          • And where the heart's rich treasure is, the heart will be;
          • Thy jewel will be safe above, gone before thee.
          • The Master said these words and gazed with pitying look,
          • While in the early hush of morn My gem He took.
          • Close to my heart that morn I held, tears falling fast,
          • An empty casket, the bright gem was safe at last.
          • Yes, Master, Thou may'st keep my own, for it is Thine;
          • Safe in the house not made with hands, 'tis Thine and mine."
      • L&L 1937-4:
        • Elma D. Gilbert, beloved wife and faithful helper of our brother T.B. Gilbert, passed into the presence of the Lord from Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday, April 17th, just three weeks after the departure of Thomas Bruce, Jr. Our sister had been in Arizona about three years for her health and seemed to be making good progress until the boy's death. She attended the funeral and stood the ordeal in a remarkable way but apparently the strain was too much for her. In her life she put Christ first and loved to do for the Lord's people. Her end was victorious beyond words. Some of her departing words were, 'I had feared death but that fear is all gone now. It's wonderful! I once read God gives living grace to live and dying grace to die and He has proved it to me. Brucie has gone and I'm going too' and then started to quote, 'When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Lord of glory died'. Mr. Alfred Mace came on from El Paso before her departure to stand with our brother Gilbert in his trial and spoke at the service, reminding all present that our beloved sister was in the brightest spot in all the universe of God... His presence. She leaves her husband, one daughter and many relatives and friends. Pray for our brother and his daughter."

Grierson family

OR 1928-8: Los Angeles, Calif.: "Brn. John Rankin of Ocean Beach, Calif., and W. Grierson of Houston, Texas, had meetings in the "West Jefferson", "Ave. 54th" and "Goodyear" Halls, and are in charge of the Gospel Tent work in Los Angeles in fellowship with these Assemblies. It is hoped there may be a hearty co-operation of all concerned in the work, when blessing will follow." Light & Liberty 1936-3 carried an article by Grierson entitled "Man's Rule". Also see Visiting Ministry at FCBC.

• William Grierson +1928-1936+

Griffin family

• Arthur L. Griffin +1969-1978+

Headley family

• Irvin E. Headley +1979-1984+

Jamison family

L&L 1935-8: Prayer Requests: "Please pray for Mrs. Jamison of Houston that she may be fully restored to health and strength."

Joseph was saved at Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland under the Gospel preaching of William Matthews and James Campbell, the latter of whom was discipled by Donald Ross. His testimony follows:

"I knew not God and could not expect comfort from that source. About that time, notices were posted about two men who were going to hold a series of gospel meetings in a house belonging to a neighboring farmer. I, with others, attended the meetings. I admired the preachers from the beginning, although I was not saved. I felt as though God had sent them for my benefit. That maybe I wasn't one of the elect bothered me, and I was afraid that Hell must be the portion of my cup. Finally the two preachers called on me in response to an invitation given then in among other Scriptures. They quoted John 3:16. I went into my room and finished the verse: "should not perish but have everlasting life". I closed the precious volume, and at once knelt at my bedside, and all my heart could utter was, "thank God I'm saved, thank God I'm saved!"

I entered that room a guilty man but I left it justified, pardoned, forgiven and could say from the depths of my heart, "it is done, the great transaction is done. I am my Lord's and He is mine. He drew me and I followed on, __________." Nineteen years have rolled along since that memorable February afternoon. There have been many changes in their home circles where I was brought up. Another family occupies the thatch cottage where I was born twice. That home, humble as it is, has for me some pleasant recollections. Pleasant not only on account of it being my birthplace, but far more pleasant because God, in that home, revealed to me His great salvation. But whether it has been mounting up to the heavens, or going down to the depths, it is going to bring me safe to His desired haven. Blessed be His gracious name!"

After fellowshipping in the Kilecarray Assembly in Cookstown 1880-1883, he emigrated to the U.S. in 1883, and went to work for Caleb Jason Baker's tent and awning company in Chicago, then moved to Kansas City with Baker where he married Elizabeth "Lizzie" Mills, and they lived there until 1893 when he and Lizzie visited Houston where his cousin Annie Jameson Sweeney and her husband Joseph Jasper Sweeney lived. The Sweeney's had moved there as a result of the potato famine. At the time, there was no assembly in Houston, which had a population of 25,000, nor did they know a single Christian. Joseph soon began to preach the Gospel in the streets, and he and his wife carried on a Sunday School and remembered the Lord in their home. He worked for his cousin's husband, J.J. Sweeney, for the duration of his life.

• Joseph Jamison 1893-1924 (b. 1858 N.I.), son of Joseph Jamison & Elizabeth Johnson Jamison.
• Elizabeth "Lizzie" Mills 1893-1935+

Lammert family

• Mr. & Mrs. Lammert +1930-1937 moved into Pineview to initiate outreach work in 1930, which culminated in the start of this assembly. See "Visiting Ministry" for a summary from 1938.

Lemon family

• Glen T. Lemon @ Pasadena +1959-1965+

Meschkat family

• Welhelm "William" Meschkat 1890's+ (b. 1860 Germany - d. 1927 Bay City, Matagorda, Houston CSA, TX), son of Wilheim Meschkat (b. 1845 Germany - d. 1901 Kaukern, Preußen, Germany) & Eva Helvig/Helvich Meschkat (b. Germany). His family became acquainted with the OB while still in Germany, as there were open assemblies by 1853 in Stuttgart, Berlin & Dusseldorf planted 1834-1835 by George Muller. He and his wife emigrated in 1884/1888 on the Polynesia, arriving in Houston by 1891. One day he heard Joseph preaching on the streets of Houston and they became acquainted. In 1900, they resided at 1013 Cleveland, he was employed as a tailor.
• Amalie Therese Greenburg Meschkat 1890's+ (b. 1867 Berlin, Germany; m. 1885 Berlin, Germany; d. 1952 Houston, TX)
  • Elizabeth Anna Meschkat Bobbitt 1890's+ (b. 1886 Germany - d. 1966 Bay City, TX). Husband (1924 @ Houston, TX): Thomas Wooten Bobbitt (1881/1885-1966 Austin, TX), son of Thomas Benton Bobbitt (b. 1842 Yalobusha Co., MS - d. 1912 Austin, TX) & Mary Alice Bledsoe Bobbitt (b. 1853 Memphis, TN - d. 1893 Austin, TX).
  • Eva Meschkat Frank (1891-1978)
  • Alfred Meschkat (1892-1983)
  • Henry Frederick Meschkat (1894-1987)
  • Hannah Maggie Meschkat McFarland (1897-1986)
  • Naomi Meschkat Ehlert (b. 1906 Houston, TX - d. 2003). Husband: William Emil Ehlert (1889-1960).

Nohr family

• Richard Nohr +2007-present

Patterson family

L&L 1934-4: With the Lord: "Mrs. Andrew Patterson, of Houston, Texas, passed into the presence of the Lord on Dec. 28, 1934, after a short illness. She was saved at Crown Point, IN, fifty-six years ago (1878) about the time Mr. Donald Ross began to preach in Chicago. She was the oldest daughter of Mrs. Ferguson. She was much given to hospitality and enjoyed entertaining the Lord's servants. Funeral services were conducted by Brethren Greer, Grierson and Johnson."

L&L 1936-7: "Lawrence London with Andrew Patterson of Houston is now working around Henryetta, Okla., using the Gospel Car. Prayer is requested for the Lord's work in Oklahoma. Our brother wishes to convey his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Lord's dear people for their fellowship in the Oklahoma Auto Fund. He says, "We humbly bow our head and give thanks and praise to God as we take the Gospel Car in His Name." See Visiting Ministry at FCBC.

L&L 1937-10: "After many years of seed sowing and gospel meetings, a small gathering of believers met to break bread in a new district about twelve miles north of here. This was a happy event, and with the hearty support and fellowship of the local assembly. Correspondent, Andrew Patterson, 1010 Boundary St., Houston, Texas."

• Andrew E. Patterson, Jr. +1936-1937
• Mrs. Andrew Patterson +1934 (d. 1934)

Smith family

• Leland D. Smith +1956-1958+
  • Leland D. Smith, Jr. +1956-1968+

• R. Smith +1936+. See Visiting Ministry at FCBC for 1936.

Thompson family

L&L 1937-4: South San Antonio, TX: Robt. Thompson, who has resided in this district during the past 18 months will be moving to South Houston, June 1st. Greater opportunity for activity in the Lord's work presents itself in that place. New address: P.O. Box 27, South Houston, Texas. South Houston is one of the suburbs of the City of Houston, and Bro. Thompson will be working in hearty fellowship with the assembly at Houston."

• Robert I. Thompson 1937-1938+

Tieman family

See Visiting Ministry at FCBC for 1937 report on William Tieman's work with a boys camp.

• William Tieman +1937+

Sources

• Light & Liberty: 1935-4,8-9; 1936-9; 1937-4,6
• Our Record: 1928-8; 1929-11; 1930-5
• Jim Bowman 8-15-2024