History - 1950's - 1960's

Later, Pastors S. D. Meyers, Fred W. Parker, and C.E. Bradford, the grandson of Elder R.L. Bradford, became ministers who served the church faithfully. Praying for God's leading, Southwest Region Conference and Oakland Seventh-day Adventist Church and school, were rapidly growing. The church seated 400 members.

In 1954, Elder W.J. Cleveland came from Seattle, Washington, to serve as the leader. He will be remembered for his evangelistic effort in West Dallas, and for his training the members in dignity of church decorum, and conducting a correspondence Bible school program as a lay activity endeavor for the members.

In 1956, Elder J.E. Cox, Jr. arrived. "Adventists Buy Temple Emanu-El", the Dallas Morning news, February 28, 1956. Negotiation for the building at 1900 South Boulevard began in earnest with Southwest Region Conference president, H.R. Murphy and J.E. Cox, Jr., pastor of "The Oakland Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church congregation" with Irving L. Goldberg, Temple Emanu-El congregation president, and Hyman Kanter, executive director of Temple Emanu-El. In a meeting held with the bank loan committee and negotiators, Elder Cox assured the committee that the highest standards of the Jewish tradition would be upheld, in the observance of the Sabbath and no unclean meats would ever be served in the temple. The asking price was lowered and the final negotiated price was $130,000.00. "The realty firm of Henry S. Miller handled arrangements and the contract was signed Jan[uary] 5, [1956]." Move in date was set for October 1, 1956.

October 6, 1956, the Oakland Seventh-day Adventist Church became City Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church and worship commenced at the new location, 1900 South Boulevard and Harwood Streets. This was also the new location for the Southwest Region Conference, Pre-School and Academy. Pastor Cox's love for music led him to organize the chancel choir which became known throughout the city and over the radio. Elder Cox's public relations ministry with the choir and evangelistic efforts brought the membership up to 400 strong.

In 1958, Elder Charles E. Dudley, Sr. arrived from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with an aggressive approach to the leadership of the church. The church program included a weekly radio program, and the starting of a successful church school academy whose enrollment increased from 76 to 310 students in two years, under the principal leadership of the late Sis. Ruth Jordan Paschal. An active welfare program took care of the needs of the disadvantaged and indigent in the local community. A community service project of a nursery, kindergarten, and preschool program cared for 120 children daily, with the late Mrs. Naomi Lewis as director. Financial progress was a hallmark of this period.

Thanksgiving weekend, November 26th-29th, 1959, a convocation was held marking forty years of progress for the work in Dallas. Elder Dudley wrote the following in the souvenir bulletin:

God has been very kind to us during these years that the Three Angel's Messages have been preached. The membership is ten times as large as it was after the first meeting was held by Elder Sydney Scott. The church has changed location three times during these years. Each time that the location has changed, it has been a challenge to the congregation, but God has been with His people . . . The purpose of this Convocation is to report at least another $10,000 or $20,000 on the remaining balance of our project. Whatever the accomplishment we shall say: "To God be the Glory".