Our History
 
When John Neely Bryan first arrived at the three forks area of the Trinity River in 1839, he surveyed a spot for a possible trading post to be shared both by Indians and North American settlers alike. The site was the most convenient point to cross the Trinity, near the proposed Preston Trail. Standing at that spot both in location and history, it is unlikely Bryan knew what significance this place would eventually have and the hundreds of thousands of people who would call it home.
 
Over 151 years ago, the city of Dallas, Texas was nothing more than a patchwork quilt of a few small villages in what later became known as Dallas County. Among those early settlers was a group of Christians who started a church that is today known as the Highland Oaks Church of Christ. Just as John Neely Bryan had a vision for the delivery of goods and services both to the indigenous and settling people of the land, the Highland Oaks Church of Christ (HOCC) has always had a vision for helping the people of North Texas become fully devoted, Spirit-led disciples of Jesus Christ.
 
With the distinction of being the oldest Christian church in Dallas, HOCC has a richly unique and storied history. Literally thousands of HOCC members through our 150 years have contributed to a sense of belonging and community with God and with each other in the Dallas area. People like Jack and Elizabeth Cole who, in the later decades of the 1800’s, countless times offered the use of the pond on their farm for baptizing new believers. HOCC member William Henry Hord was Justice of the Peace in Dallas and married the first couple after Dallas County was organized. William Brown Miller, who operated the first boarding school for girls in Dallas County, believing that girls should be educated in the social graces, even if being raised “in the wilds.” Captain Jefferson Peak, a land developer who built the first brick house in Dallas, bequeathed land to the church. Several streets in the area of the current HOCC campus still bear Jefferson Peak’s name and the names of his children and sons-in-law. Sarah Cockrell deeded land for the first church building, a log building built in 1867; HOCC has been growing and influencing North Texas ever since.
 
At HOCC, we believe all Christians have a responsibility to use their God-given gifts to God’s glory and to equip others to serve as they are able. Serving others is close to the heart of this church. In 1927, worship services were broadcast over local radio station WRR to those who were not able to physically attend worship at the church building. In 1968 plans for the Christian Care Center (a retirement community) were announced and in September 1973 opened its doors to the aging of our community. The Christian Care Center is still serving strong over 30 years later.
 
In 1978, the Sharing Center (now known as Caring and Sharing) was opened to assist those who have fallen on difficult times. This ministry annually serves hundreds of our community from the HOCC campus with food, clothing and financial assistance. 1985 saw the beginning of our ESL (English as a Second Language) programs (now known as Let’s Start Talking/FriendSpeak). To this day, these programs continue to help our neighbors learn the English language.
 

Today, HOCC’s legacy of service continues through a vast number of ministries and service opportunities. As John Neely Bryan could not have foreseen the impact of a small trade outpost on the Trinity River, so we continue to be blessed and amazed by what God is doing through the group of Christians known as the Highland Oaks Church of Christ.
 
When you arrive at HOCC, you will find a warm, friendly and caring group of people who are honored and blessed to continue a long legacy of faith and service in the name of Jesus Christ for the benefit of the people in North Texas and throughout the world.
 
10805 Walnut Hill Lane • Dallas, TX 75238
214-342-6060 • 214-340-1922 (fax)
1815 West 15th Street • Plano, TX 75075
972-423-4190 • 214-340-1922 (fax)