The Church of Jesus Christ is deeply rooted in Gainesville and surrounded communities. Beginning back in 1955 by John and Alice Houghton, The Church of Jesus Christ was birthed out of revival. Shortly after coming to the Lord, John Houghton began preaching on the courthouse square of Gainesville, TX. It wasn’t long until he rented a pasture at the end of Grand Avenue, where he strung up some lights and rickety benches, added his own record player, and with the support of friends, an old-fashioned outdoor revival was in full swing. It was this revival that brought many to Christ and a congregation was soon established.

Reba Fay Perry and her husband Ben were some of John’s early converts which later lead to the conversion of the entire Perry family. Due to the amazing turnaround of the Perry family, they turned their dance hall business into our congregation's first official sanctuary. In 1959, the opportunity came to purchase lots on E. Broadway and it’s here that our first church building was built. John and Alice Houghton pastored there for nearly 25 years. Alice passed away in 1977 and John in 1989.

John “Papa” Houghton’s funeral was held in the beloved church building that his own hands had helped build. His funeral service ended by quoting the closing words he ended every church service with: “Show love one to another until we meet again.”