History of North Leach Church of Christ

History of the Watonga Church of Christ

The Watonga congregation of the Church of Christ was established in the spring of 1950. Meetings were held on Sunday afternoons in the banquet room of the Watonga City Hall. These services were conducted initially by the Northside Church of Christ from Oklahoma City, with area congregations also attending and assisting.

In the summer of 1950, a six‑week tent meeting was held nightly with several evangelists preaching—both black and white. The tent was located behind the service station at the corner of Noble and Highway 33.

A lot was later purchased in the 900 block of North Wikoff, and a one‑room country schoolhouse was moved to the site for the congregation to meet in. In 1954, the block on which the building stood was purchased by Watonga Schools for the new grade school. The church then purchased lots across the street and constructed a new building. The previous building was moved to East Main for the black brethren to meet in.

By 1964, there were three congregations of the churches of Christ in Watonga: the black congregation on East Main, a white congregation on West Main, and a white congregation on North Wikoff. Sometime after 1964, the black congregation began meeting with the white brethren on West Main.

The West Main church purchased a frame building from the Lutheran Church, which was moved to 912 N. Leach. A new auditorium was constructed by the congregation from 1980 to 1981. In 1982, the North Wikoff and North Leach congregations united and have continued to meet at 912 N. Leach.