From Proud Heritage, Vol. 1 by DCPA, not currently in print.
Charles L. Cole, son of W.B. and Amanda Cole, was born August 5, 1856. He became the full time pastor of the First Christian Church at Duck Creek in 1886. His ministry set a record for tenure which has never been matched. He kept a diary, in which he made this statement: “My first sermon was preached on the fourth Lord’s Day, 1883 at 3:00 P.M. at Rylie Prairie, Dallas County, within 8 miles of the place of my birth. From that date to January, 1893, I have been instrumental in bringing over 1,000 souls into the fold of Christ.”
Charles L. Cole married Sarah Miller on August 20, 1874. She was born in Franklin County, Kentucky. When she was fifteen years of age, her family moved to Texas by covered wagon caravan. It took them over two months to make the trip. They stopped at a little town called Dallas, then drove to a farming area near what is known as New Hope. They bought a farm, paying 25 or 50 cents an acre in 1870. Mrs. Cole lived to be 98 years of age.
Charles L. Cole preached every Sunday and rode horseback everywhere he went. It was a two hour ride from his farm in New Hope to the Duck Creek Church.
In 1887 he moved his family to the new and growing city of Embree (later to be named Garland). With the help of the men of the church, he built a new home. He soon gave up farming, devoting his full time to the church. His salary was $900.00 a year, with time off for a number of revival meetings each year.
It was under Charles’ leadership that the church building was moved to its present location in 1888. It was moved across Duck Creek to a point near where Wyatt’s Cafeteria is located today. It became the first Christian Church of Embree. Then, when Embree was renamed Garland, it became the First Christian Church of Garland. In 1899, extensive repairs and enlargement of the building were made.
Charles Cole, by living in Garland, became the pastor of all the people. He was loving, kind and generous, and greatly loved by the entire community. His family grew up in Garland; all were active in the Church, giving vital leadership. There were five children: Bennie who died at age 18, Ed, Lillian, Mattie, Lida, and Elsie.
Charles Levi Cole was a self educated person, growing up in a rich background of culture. His mother, a daughter of a minister, had a profound influence upon his development. It was said that he read the Bible while plowing the field and that he knew much of the New Testament from memory. He was a well read person and a subscriber to the monthy magazine published by Alexander Campbell. He had a copy of the Alexander Campbell translation of the New Testament. Mr. Campbell had his own printing press.
When he closed his ministry in 1903 to accept a call to the Ferris Church, there were 225 members in the Garland Church. He had a short pastorate at Ferris and Wylie. Upon accepting a call to the church in Anna, Texas, he moved there but died before he had an opportunity to preach. He was 48 years and 6 months old at the time of his death.
At the memorial service, held in the First Christian Church of Garland, conducted by Dr. Chalmers McPherson, pioneer preacher at Waxahachie and later professor of New Testament Christianity at Brite College, TCU, it was said of Brother Cole: “No man in Texas was ever more beloved by those among whom he labored. His sermons were true to the Gospel message – true to the Christ. This he preached with ‘heart power’. His physical frame was weak but his brain and soul were strong.”
By Mrs. Mary White Lee, Garland
