Miracle on Plains: How a Grocery Store Became a Place of Worship

Amarillo's transformation over the years indicates its growth as a city, particularly in the repurposing of buildings from one business to another. Usually, the large buildings left behind by failed businesses are converted into something new.

Get our free mobile app

When businesses leave large buildings empty in Amarillo after closing the doors, those large buildings usually become home to a place of worship. For example, Midnight Rodeo was transformed into a home for The Loft Church, and that is exactly what happened to an abandoned grocery store on Plains Blvd. It became home to Grace Church.

The history of 4111 Plains Blvd

Graham Home

Photo Courtesy of Cathy Wilkinson Morrow

Once upon a time, this land was a home. It belonged to William Thurman Graham. Graham was known for co-creating and manufacturing the "Plow that Saved the Plains" with Fred Hoeme. The manufacturing of the Graham-Hoeme plow began in 1938. Graham's home took up the entire corner of Plains Blvd and Western.

Food Emporium

Food Emporium was owned by Furr's. It was a huge store with two levels to the store and the second level was a restaurant named Magnolias. The store offered fresh seafood, among other exotic foods, and a bakery that included European pastries made daily.

Homeland

In 1995, Homeland opened in this location. The store was open until 2001 when Homeland closed all its stores in the Texas Panhandle including 2 other stores in Amarillo.

Grace Church

Grace Church was established in Amarillo in 1985 by Bill Gehm and his congregation. The church started small, eventually moving into a local YMCA, and then to its worship facilities on Amarillo Blvd. Then eventually the church purchased the building at 4111 Plains Blvd, where it remains a very active place of worship.

Many Changes

It's always interesting to take a walk down the history of Amarillo, and it is crazy to see the growth of our city. What was once an estate, near a golf course, is now a part of Amarillo that is in regrowth with AmTech and Arts in the Sunset.