Cowboy Church opens new arena for variety of events

Cowboy Church of Orange County has opened their new covered arena and is now ready to kick off an old-fashioned Trade Days with farmers market at the end of the month.

Pastor Harland Strother said the 40,000 square foot arena will seat more than 1,000 people with more room to seat 200 in lawn chairs. The arena also has a professional concession stand with new equipment.

The congregation of the church on FM 1078 outside of Orange voted to build the arena for many uses, including drawing professional rodeos. But soon, it will provide the growing congregation with what Pastor Strother is calling "Church in the Dirt."

The congregation has grown from 157 people to 600 in a little more than two years, he said. To accommodate the people, the church added a second service, on at 9 a.m. and the other at 10:30 a.m. But now, it's time for a new worship building.

Soon, the church will be moving to the arena for one service at 10 a.m., leading to the name "Church in the Dirt." The arena will become the temporary worship site until the new church is constructed.

The arena has been built with donations and a loan from Bridge City Bank. Pastor Strother said the first during a service for donations raised $208,000. "It was an amazing day," he said. "I still get emotional talking about it."

The pastor is hoping the monthly Trade Days evolves into something like the Liberty Trade Days, or perhaps even the world-famous Canton Trade Days.

The initial Trade Days will be Friday, September 26, and Saturday, September 27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Already, 70 vendors have registered with room for a total of 150. Booth space rental for the two days begins at $45 with an additional $10 for electricity. Registration for booths is available on the Cowboy Church of Orange County website.

The local Cowboy Church was established 17 years ago with the idea that Christian cowboys, famers, and country people could come to worship on Sunday mornings in the clothes they wore to work with their animals earlier. A number of the members own horses and are interested in riding, roping, and other sports.

Pastor Strother said the church on the first Tuesday in October will be opening the arena in the evenings, likely from 5 to 9 p.m., for anyone in the community for open horseback rides.

Other events to be held in the future will include barrel races, team roping, a donkey rodeo, and sorting events. The church also sponsors a 4-H group for youth.

For the past few years, the church has brought a professional rodeo to Orange County that has attracted crowds, and that's another reason for building the covered arena.

Pastor Strother said the pro rodeo held earlier this year drew more than 3,000 on two nights to the church's non-covered arena. The rodeo producers said it was the largest crowd they had in a small, rural community. The next pro rodeo is set for April 11 and 12, 2025.

The church is also planning to hold amateur rodeos for locals who enjoy the events and competitions.

The multi-purpose arena is available for the public to rent for events. Pastor Strother said a touring circus has booked a future appearance.

More information about Cowboy Church of Orange County and the arena are available by calling the church at 409-920-2271 during regular business hours.