History of White Church District Number 10

In December 1878 a mere handful of pioneers pitched their camps in what is now known as Mulberry Canyon in the western part of Taylor County. Among these early setters were M. M. Norris, a Mr. Ripple, a Mr. Cotner and a Mr. Farris, all with their families. After a year of rugged pioneer life, the last three names mentioned became only memories to those who had the courage to stay. The following year, however, other pioneers came; among them were W. H. and C. L. Brown, J. T. and J. C. Tucker. Although these early settlers were sorely tried and hard pressed for subsistence, with Buffalo Gap their county seat and post-office and Fort Worth their shipping point and general market, they would not be discouraged.

Soon the need of a school and a church became apparent. Under such conditions as existed at that time these husky pioneers had to make use of the natural resources at hand for their building material. In 1879 cedar logs, water, and dirt were gathered together for the erection of the first building, which was to serve the double purpose of a school and church. The Hon. Henry Beal, now a prominent lawyer of Sweetwater, was the first teacher. In 1881 or 1882, a new location for the school was decided upon; at this time the T. & P. Railroad had been completed to Abilene and lumber and other building supplies could be purchased for a more substantial building- one to which the rattlesnakes could not gain entrance. Mr. Buchanan was the new teacher; he was followed by Mr. G. H. Wadford the next year. In about 1888, a building strictly for religious purposes was erected; it was painted white. As painted houses were seldom seen in those days, it was decided that the school should he called "White Church;" which name the whole district hears today. In order to have a good supply of water for the school, it was necessary, in 1910, to make another move; four acres of land, over near "The Old Live Oak," were purchased from the Nazarene church for the new she. At this time another room was added for a second teacher. In 1917, since the building and equipment were found inadequate for the increased number of children, bonds were voted and a fifty cent tax was levied for the erection and maintenance of a modern two-room frame structure, well-equipped throughout. Some of the interested patrons of this "school who have worked for and watched its development for -a number of years are: J. V. Tye, Harvey West, William Snow, E. J. Costephens, L. H. Burrus, Paul Demere, H. D. Clark, Thomas Clinton, and H. E. Farmer.

In 1920-1921 this district had the only teacherage in the county; it was in the form of an army tent, properly set up on the school ground and most sensibly and comfortably furnished for the principal of the school - a young soldier- and his bride, Mr. A. J. Morris -was assisted in the work by Miss Ruth McNatt, who was so enchanted by the beauty of the mountains nearby that she was induced to prolong her stay in the district indefinitely.

The good teachers of the White Church School for 1921-1922 were Misses Martha Bird and Georgia Mingus, and a successful term's work was done.

Class Roll