A Brief History of the Whitehouse Church of Christ

The history of the Whitehouse congregation has been faithfully preserved through the memories of long-time members. Over the years, many devoted men have preached and served here, leaving a legacy of dedication, good works, and commitment to God’s Word.

1937–1940
The Whitehouse congregation began in 1937 after a gospel meeting was held outdoors in the schoolyard, with Eris Ritchie preaching and Victor Warner leading singing. A small congregation formed and met the following year in a café on Railroad Avenue, next door to the Mercantile. Early members included M.H. Harris, Muggie Mitchum, and Bertie Mae Ray. Land was purchased land on Highway 110 and a simple frame building was constructed—without plumbing and gas, only electricity—which later became the Fellowship Hall.
During these early years, Victor Warner taught and led singing while several men, including Eris Ritchie, Walter Lee Tackett, Fuston Tacket & Mitchell Stripling shared preaching and teaching responsibilities.

1944–1958
Darrell Metcalf (1944–45) and Verdell Vaughn (1948) preached with Elmer Harris and Robert McKeethan also helping to lead the services. By 1957–58, George Verga came to preach helping the church to grow and the need for a new building became clear. The congregation temporarily met at Whitehouse School while a new building was constructed by Jake Massey, a current member at the time and opened in March 1958.

1960–1979
Homer Harris began preaching in 1960 and served nearly seven years. The congregation continued to grow through the leadership of several ministers, including Don Sykes (1968) and Fuston Tackett (1969-72). In 1972, Homer Harris returned for another seven-year ministry, during which the congregation hired its first full-time preacher and appointed its first elders (Mack Bynum & Ira Wilson) and deacons (Bob Headley, Scotty Rouse & Virgil Draughon). Mack Bynum’s health deteriorated which prevented him from continuing as an elder, therefore the eldership and deacons were dissolved and the congregation continued without Elders until 1990.

1981–1990s
Construction on a new building began in 1981, completed with the help of the entire congregation, including Paul Hanock, Roy Jenkins and I.W. Spruell who acted as contractors until completion in 1982. A.W. Reed (father of Claudia Headley) donated funds for the sign in front of the building in 1983. Over the years, the church continued to grow under ministers including Brad Dudley (1983-85), Mark Lowe worked with the young married couples and Jim Bell served as the Youth Director. (beginning in 1985), J.C. Tate (1985-95), Steve Mize (1996), Dean Roberson (1997), LaVega Parker (1998). During this period, additional elders (Richard Batten, Wes Burks, Darrell Holifield, Art Etter, Bill Baulker and J.C. Tate) and deacons (Lee Coleman, Willie Cotton, Bob Headley, Aubrey Mormon and Doug Henegar) were appointed, and the church purchased land – 8 acres located on the 600 block of Hwy 110 for future expansion and additional staff were added during this period of growth. 

2000–2008
Doug Dudley served as the preacher during this time.  The congregation had three remaining elders – Wes Burks, Darrell Holifield, and Richard Batten – and no deacons.

2008–2010
As membership declined due to relocations, the congregation sought help from the West Erwin Church of Christ. In 2009, eight families placed membership at Whitehouse on April 5, 2009 to help strengthen and rebuild the work. Preaching during this time was provided by members and visiting ministers.

2011–2015
Jay Lockhart became pulpit minister in May of 2011 and served until his resignation as minister and elder in November of 2017, launching renewed growth and outreach. Jack Dodgen was brought onboard as the associate minister in 2013 as well as Doug Yates in the summer of 2014 and two additional elders were added January 2014 (Ernest Bennett & Jerry Mitchell) further supporting the work of the congregation. The congregation purchased 24 acres on Highway 346 in April of 2013 and later began construction on a new building at 1313 E. Main. Despite delays, the congregation moved into the new facility in August of 2015 and held its first service in the new auditorium on September 2.  

2015–2020
New deacons were appointed (Jimmy Carty, Joey Coker, Daniel DuPree, Eric Figueroa, Mark Frick, Mike Harris, Blake Lockhart, Melvin Maples, Jeff Parrish, and John Shaw), ministries expanded, and the congregation continued to grow. In 2017 additional deacons added and restructured (Gerald Floyd, Seth Huddleston, Todd Kempton, Richard Light, Tim Ross).

Spencer Shaw (grandson of Jay Lockhart) became the pulpit minister in May of 2018 and Logan Bruce served as the Youth & Family Minister (2018-2020).  Jerry Mitchell stepped down as an elder due to his wife’s health issues and and additional elders were installed August 5, 2018 (Daniel DuPree & Richard Light) joining Ernest Bennett and Aaron DuVall with the work of shepherding the flock at Whitehouse.

Flooding in 2019 temporarily displaced services, but worship continued in the Fellowship Hall during repairs.

2020–2025
Chris Detkos joins the work as Family/Youth Minister (2020-2023). Nathan Adams became pulpit minister in the fall of 2020. After several faithful years, Nathan and Jeanne Adams transitioned to serve in Belmont, Mississippi, in May 2025. Cody Stewart was brought on to serve as Youth & Family Minister in the fall of 2025.

 2025–Present
November 2, 2025, Kris Groda joins the Whitehouse congregation as the pulpit minister with his wife Lena and son, Kendall.