Lonesome Dove Church

Although this film has no bearing whatsoever concerning the founding of The Lonesome Dove Church in Grapevine, Texas which exists still today, the film is a decent action western.

When some of his views don't meet with local approval, circuit riding preacher Tom Berenger goes off looking for a new place to pastor. He finds it in Texas with the assistance of his gunfighter son Greyston Holt.

Holt's on the run himself and as it turns out Berenger has some skills in that area that the Good Book doesn't approve of. As he says he wasn't always a preacher.

The people in the film don't dress like 1846 Texas which was when Texas became a state. Don't look for accuracy heree, just enjoy.

I am descended from the actual founders of Lonesome Dove Church. My Great-grandparents are buried in the church cemetery. I say this as qualification for what I am about to say. No one named Shepherd was ever involved in the formation of the church. The church founders were named Medlin, Gibson, Hallford, Throop and Foster. I like a good story as well as the next guy. As a matter of fact I have written historical fiction about my great grandfather. but it was based on historical events. The only thing true about this film is the fact that the Lonesome Dove church was built in 1845. Grapevine Texas wasn't established until much later. Calling this a true story is laughable. If you want to make a movie for entertainment I'm all for it. But don't call it a true story.

181019: This is a decent film. It's also a decent little story featuring cap and ball technology (yes, I'm a western fan). Holt reminds me of an improved Keanu Reeves while Berenger's acting left me a bit flat. The highlight is Patrick Sabongui as "Matthew". He's an intriguing, vicious but repentant character in this film. He's also a good actor. Liked him so much I did a bit of research on this Canadian boy. Will have to watch for him in the Goodnight films.

I'm not sure which is worse; the story or the costumes. It's 1846 for Pete's sake. Modern hats, modern clothes, and modern shoes oh my. Costumes would have even been wrong for 1870, much less 1846. Geez! Stop making period movies about Texas in Canada! ...or BF Georgia!

I too am a descendant of fosters and have a book on the history and actual photo of the church. If anyone would like to compare info contact me via the email. movie was not accurate but typical of most westerns. I would watch it again to catch anything I might have missed the first time.