History of Crossroads Community Church in Oak Hill, Texas (Austin, Texas) explored and revisited.

Crossroads Community Church is one of Austin’s many forgotten churches. Not too much history is known about Crossroads Community Church.


Crossroads Community Church was built on property owned by Elry Hudson in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Austin, Texas sometime during the mid-20th century possibly around the 1940s. His property is where the building was constructed and established on. This building was originally an Arby’s restaurant. This building was later a bank called Oak Hill National Bank which was owned by NCNB Texas National Bank. (Ref: Travis County Public Records, 2004224274)

The Crossroads Community Church was located inside a single story rectangular building next to an Exxon gas station and a motel called Western Hills Motel right across the street from Old Bee Caves Road (Old SH 71). Crossroads Community Church was located near the intersection of US 290 & Old Bee Caves Road near the ‘Y in Oak Hill’.

Oak Hill National Bank operated and owned the location in 1986. Oak Hill National Bank would own this property for 4 short years before shutting down in 1990 due to financial difficulties and a lawsuit. The land was sold back to E A Hudson in 1990. Part of the property that was the parking lot (right of the building) was sold to the State of Texas in 1990 for a future row lane as part of the original highway expansion plan for US 290 (Highway 290).

Crossroads Community Church was established as a Presbyterian church in 1990. Services began on October 25, 1990. Rev. Michael Schulte and Rev. Frank Costenbader were charge along with 2 other people. Rev. Frank Costenbader was in charge of dealing with the lease.

Crossroads Community Church did not own the property where their church was located but simply leased from Elry Hudson himself. The church did not take full ownership of the property or assumed any sort of rights. Crossroads Community Church was housed inside the former Oak Hill National Bank which was owned by NCNB Texas National Bank prior to 1990. Crossroads Community Church also operated under the name of Presbyterian Church of the Holy Spirit. (Ref: Travis County Public Records, Volume 11605, Page 1360)

Rev. Michael Schulte referred to Crossroads Community Church as an “Evangelical Presbyterian church”. So Evangelicals and Presbyterians had prayed together and attended services with each other. Several members of this church who followed different sects of Christianity attended this church such as Evangelicals, Lutherans, Methodists, and Baptists. Their phone number was 512-288-7606. Phone extensions were added when technology was upgraded. (Ref: https://jwproperties.net/default.asp_Q_f_E_cpg_A_pg_E_Religioncont)

Rev. Michael Schulte served as Pastor in 1997. He was committed to Christ's church and to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in particular, yet his eternal trust is in Jesus Christ. (Ref: http://www.realtime.net/~grace2u/pastword.html)


Vision Statement of Crossroads Community Church:

“We purpose to demonstrate Jesus Christ in a contemporary way to our community, especially to those within our personal circles of influence. Through corporate worship and a caring environment, we will provide believers and the unchurched of Austin a setting in which to encounter and mature in Christ.”

(Ref: https://web.archive.org/web/19970130231105/http://www.churchsearch.com/austin/ccc.htm)
 

However by the early 21st century, the end was near for this church. Crossroads Community Church was not immune to demolition or imminent domain. TXDOT announced plans to expand US 290 into being a 4-lane highway in 2003. TXDOT acquired several parcels of land between Williamson Creek and US 290. The church building was demolished to making right of way for lane expansion of US 290 in 2004. US 290 was expanded into a 4-lane road (4-lane highway).

The only things remaining of Crossroads Community Church are the slab concrete foundation and the parking lot. The parking lot has not been excavated or destroyed in any way yet.

Crossroads Community Church was located at 6788 Highway 290 West, Austin, Texas, US 78735.