The History

The Lawrence Avenue Church of Christ started in 1973 as a result of the Church of Christ exhibit at the State Fair.  From the exhibit, a class was arranged with Sam and Lillie Beeler.  Bro. Mayo Towles, of the Jasper Street Church of Christ (then the North Street Church of Christ) in Decatur, taught this class and baptized the Beelers not long after the fair ended.  The Jasper Street Church of Christ continued to send brothers over to study and worship with the Beelers.  Eight men, (including Howard Anderson and Thomas Teamer), would alternate driving over on Sundays and Thursdays.  The church was then located on South Grand and Wirt.  Around the spring of 1974, Bro. Howard Anderson and Bro. Thomas Teamer began to share the ministerial responsibilities of the church.  They continued to live in Decatur and drive to Springfield every Sunday and Thursday.  Not long after the Beelers were baptized, the church began to grow.  Isaac and Hallie Robinson, Sr., Aretha Williams, Ida Anderson, and Georgia Wilson were all added to the body.

In 1976, the church moved to Capitol Street.  The church stayed at this location until 1978.  In 1978, the church moved to its current location on Lawrence Avenue.  Also in 1978, the church hired a full time minister in the person of Bro. Cary Dowl.  Bro. Anderson and Bro. Teamer continued to drive over from Decatur to support the church.  In 1980, Bro. Dowl left the congregation.  Bro. Anderson and Bro. Teamer again took over the work of the church.

In 1982, Bro. Lovell C. Hayes became minister.  Again, Bro. Anderson and Bro. Teamer continued to drive over from Decatur to support the church.  Under the leadership of Bro. Hayes, the church continued to grow and develop.  He brought great planning, organization, vision, teaching and preaching to the church.  Many great visions became reality through Bro. Hayes’ leadership and his faith in God.  In 1994, Bro. Hayes moved to Jackson, TN where he currently serves as the minister of the East Jackson Church of Christ. He has become one of the most prolific and powerful preachers in the brotherhood and remains a close friend and pillar of the Lawrence Avenue family. 

In 1994, Bro. Anderson and Bro. Teamer again took over the work of the church. Bro. Anderson and Bro. Teamer continued to drive over 3 to 4 times a week to ensure that the church continued to grow and develop.

In 1998, Bro. Thomas Teamer passed away.  The impact he made on the Lawrence Avenue Church of Christ is still present, and the work he has done has never been forgotten.  Many lives were touched and many souls were saved through the work of Bro. Thomas Teamer. 

Currently, Bro. Howard Anderson serves as the minister of the Lawrence Avenue Church of Christ.  He continues to plan and provide leadership and direction as the church continues to move into the future.  Bro. Howard Anderson has been with the congregation since its inception, and he has tirelessly served in whatever capacity needed with Sis. Polly Anderson by his side.