Oldham Lane is an offshoot of Baker Heights Church of Christ (located at 5382 Texas Avenue).  The Baker Heights Church of Christ, near Dyess Air Force Base in southwest Abilene, had grown from its modest beginning in 1961 to over-capacity with no room for expansion.  The most logical proposal was for willing Baker Heights members to help start a new congregation.

     In the spring of 1995 approximately 70 persons opted to leave their roots at Baker Heights and become the nucleus of a new congregation which initially met at the former 16th and Vine Church of Christ building. The Baker Heights congregation had purchased a parcel of land on Oldham Lane in 1993 and the new group saw this as an excellent site for their new church home.  With an additional $17,000 from Baker Heights, plans got underway immediately to design the new church building.  The group's determination and zeal was expressed in a one-day offering of more than $100,000 toward construction.  The building was completed and its formal opening was on August 18, 1996.

     The new building was designed to seat 800, but was initially configured to seat 500.  Other features included a large family room, kitchen, 20 classrooms, and staff offices. Total cost was approximately 1.2 million, of which $825,000 was financed.   

     Mr. Jimmy Jividen was Oldham's first pulpit minister under the leadership of Elders Bob Childress, RJ Poe, and Dr. Tim Appleton.   Oldham Lane's first deacons were Chris Atkins, Larry Bell, Bob Connel, James Cumby, Ken Dozier, Eddie Dunn, Rodney Goodman, John Gore, Robert Harper, Steve Jividen, Dr. Bobby Lawson, James McCoy, Royce Scott, Jack Smith, Kent Watson, and Joe Wyatt.

Time Line of Events

March 26,1995:  First meeting in the Baker Heights building.

April 9, 1995:  Three elders and seven deacons appointed.

May 7, 1995:  First meeting in the 16th and Vine building.

June, 1995:  Building planning began.

September 1995:  Special collection ($101,000 contribution).

October 15, 1995:  Ground breaking on Oldham Lane.

December 10, 1995:  Baker Heights special contribution of $7306 collected.

January 18, 1996:  8,000+ brochures mailed to southeast Abilene.

February 16, 1996:  First baptisms

February 18, 1996:  Record attendance of 248.

March 3, 1996:  Additional deacons appointed.

March 4, 1996:  Slab poured for new building; construction in full motion.

August 4, 1996:  Congregation moved to new building, still under construction (attendance of 360).

August 11, 1996:  Attendance of 393.

August 18, 1996:  Formal Opening Service held at the new Oldham Lane Church of Christ building, located at 5049 Oldham Lane.