Hill Chapel C.M.E. - Our Humble Beginnings

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Hill Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is celebrating its 130th church anniversary. Although officially the church is recorded as being formed September 18, 1909, the church’s oral history acknowledges its existence prior to this. A second building was constructed in 1909 after the original building was destroyed. The church first became known as Christian Chapel C.M.E in honor of its first pastor, Rev. C.C. Christian. Written histories from legacy members, such as Eddie Moody, recalls attending the church during the Great Depression and using a pot belly stove to keep warm and Sunday School collections totaled twenty-five cents. 

C.C. Christian was pastor for several years after which there was a succession of ministers leading up to the rebuilding of the church under the leadership of Rev. C.E. Hill in 1957. Rev. Hill was known for his concern and devotion to the church and community. Former members credited Hill with building the youth program in the 1950s and 1960s. While he was not a Plano resident, he spent more time at the church and in the community ensuring that young people felt connected and found their place in the church to serve.

As the years went on the entire congregation worked extremely hard to build the current building by selling dinners, making pledges, the choir hosting musicals and the youth hosting Halloween parties. Member history recounts Rev. Hill physically put the siding on the old church. All of the hard work paid off on November 18, 1984 when the congregation moved into its new building. Sunday School was held in the old church and then members marched up the street to the new building for worship singing “When the Saints Go Marching In”.  

Hill Chapel has served as a spiritual beacon in the Plano Community and consistently conveyed an atmosphere of family and connection. The church has been more than a house of faith, but also a safe haven and platform for justice. The church had a reputation for reaching across social, racial and denominational lines. One legacy member in particular, John Hightower, a former school official and role model, led desegregation efforts in Plano ISD along with his wife Dr. Myrtle Hightower. John Hightower’s commitment to education, leadership and community service was a shared mission with Hill Chapel and is still a commitment today for the church.

Additionally, Hill Chapel had other church members who were actively involved in breaking through color barriers and creating a space for African Americans in the City of Plano. Hill Chapel member Deborah Jones was the first African American principal in Plano ISD and member Arthur Young was the first African American postmaster in Plano. The church served as the spiritual support to men and women in the community that worked to create opportunities and equality for black Americans during times of civil injustice.

Other gifted spiritual leaders of Hill Chapel C.M.E. include Rev. James E. Larry, Rev. Clarence Ford, and Rev. Dr. Jeremy Williams. In January 2024, Hill Chapel was blessed with its first female pastor, Rev. Dr. Cassandra Keys Jones, who has picked up the mantle and is leading the congregation through new journeys and to new heights creating a legacy of service of her own. With a mission of sharing Christ and serving humanity, Hill Chapel under the leadership of Rev. Keys Jones continues to fight the good fight of faith through Life at the Hill. 

The City of Plano was incorporated June 2, 1873. It was settled in the 1840s by Anglo-Americans and established as part of Peters Colony in the Blackland Prairie region which was fertile land good for farming and ranching. Thus, Hill Chapel C.M.E. was built on rich fertile soil and with God’s help it will continue to produce a harvest of evangelism, discipleship and service.