First Christian Church - Charleston is a welcoming and inclusive church that provides a supportive space for people to connect with God and each other. We believe in the power of fellowship and the importance of coming together to build our faith. We firmly believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and we seek to live out his teachings in our lives. We invite you to join us and discover the power of faith and community.
About Us
Our Roots in Charleston
The roots of our congregation trace back to 1887 when a group of early Disciples of Christ began gathering in homes for fellowship. Later, they held weekly services in a hall on Meeting Street. In 1897, a Tabernacle was erected on Rutledge Avenue to host a revival by Evangelist J.A.L. Romig. This powerful revival attracted numerous families who would go on to form the core membership of our church for years to come. In April of that year, amidst the Romig revival, the FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH of Charleston was officially organized and chartered. The local newspaper announced regular services at the Tabernacle under the guidance of the church's first pastor, S.D. Colyer, in a publication dated June 19, 1897.
As our congregation continued to grow, plans were made to establish a dedicated church home. Construction of a church building on Calhoun Street commenced and was later dedicated in 1904. The First Christian Church experienced steady growth throughout the years, eventually leading to the congregation's relocation to our present site on Orange Grove Road in 1975.
At our church, we adhere to the traditions and doctrines of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This includes embracing an autonomous or congregational form of church government, observing the Lord's Supper on a weekly basis, and recognizing the significance of baptism as a Christian ordinance.
We invite you to join us on our spiritual journey as we honor our history, embrace our beliefs, and foster a sense of community and faith within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) tradition.
Denomination History
In the early days of frontier America, settlers sought a new religious approach that would suit their unique needs, distinct from the European church structures. These pioneering individuals relied on their resourcefulness and desired a practical, down-to-earth faith to guide them through the challenges of their rugged lives. They believed in their ability to personally interpret the Bible and build their faith on reason. It was within this quest that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) emerged.
The roots of our church date back to the early 19th century. In 1804, Barton W. Stone, a Presbyterian minister, and his followers severed their denominational ties to embrace the unity of "the body of Christ at large." They adopted the simple name "Christians" and established the first Christian Church congregation at the Cane Ridge log meeting house near Paris, Kentucky.
Later, in 1811, Thomas Campbell, another Presbyterian minister, along with his son Alexander, began independent meetings in western Pennsylvania, proclaiming that the church of Jesus Christ should be inclusive and open to all. Alexander Campbell gained prominence through public debates and his writings, ultimately leading him to become a key figure in the "Disciples of Christ" movement by 1820.
In 1832, followers of Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell came together in Lexington, Kentucky. The "Christians" and the "Disciples of Christ" joined hands in formal unity, agreeing upon shared beliefs and objectives.
Today, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) stands as one of the largest denominations founded on American soil. With over 1.2 million members spread across 4,400 congregations in the United States and Canada, our church continues to foster a sense of community and faith.