Published: November 01, 2009 08:15 am      

A place to call home

Cowboy Church holds groundbreaking ceremony

When it comes to Halloween, a cowboy isn’t necessarily unusual. But for the Chisholm Trail Cowboy Church, cowboys are even more common place throughout the year.

Saturday, members of the Cowboy Church had a groundbreaking ceremony for the future site of the church. A celebration followed, which featured children in Halloween costumes and a chance to promote interaction among church patrons.

Dale Howry, church pastor, said, “It’s going to be a fellowship. We’re getting ready to build. We’re thrilled.”

The Cowboy Church has been in operation for nearly three years. It was only recently the church received a donation of 20 acres of land to build a church. For the time being, the congregation will be meeting at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center until the church is built.

In celebration, many people brought food for an all-comers feast, which consisted of hot dogs cooked over an open fire, a variety of chips and desserts.

Children even got to dress up in Halloween costumes.

Two competitions took place: One for any costume, and one specifically for those dressed as rodeo clowns. Wyatt Buckman was the rodeo clown winner, while Jaylee Phillips, who dressed as a bee, was the overall costume winner.

Still, the celebration was for the church and its members who came together because a spiritual connection to God. The building will represent a place to share that connection.

The church building committee, along with church attendees, hope the process won’t take long.

Butch Swanson, who’s part of the building committee, said a church building is becoming a must, especially since church attendance has increased drastically since the church was founded.

When the church first came together, it had 12 members. Swanson said usual attendance is about 175 people.

“We’ve had as many as 236,” Swanson said.