A Century and a Half on J R Miller Blvd
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has been part of the life of downtown Owensboro, Kentucky, since November 1860, just 28 years after Alexander Campbell, Barton Stone, and others founded the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) movement. After worshiping in borrowed space for a decade, the congregation built its first building on J R Miller Blvd between Fourth and Fifth Streets. In 1905, a new church at 7th and Daviess Streets (later reassigned the address 700 J R Miller Blvd) was dedicated on land donated by Mrs. Nannie Wilhoyte. In 1930, a new education wing, organ, and remodeled sanctuary were dedicated, and over the next several decades the building was extended multiple times to fit a growing, thriving church. Today the congregation still meets at 700 J R Miller Blvd, where it rebuilt after a 2013 fire destroyed the sanctuary.
Rebuilding After the Fire
During the night of March 18, 2013, lightning hit the sanctuary and the entire building was destroyed. Plans were drawn up and ground was broken to rebuild at the same location. On November 13, 2016, the congregation held its first worship service in the Fellowship Hall of the new building, and a week later, on November 20, worship moved into the new sanctuary, marked by the baptism of nine youths. The Legacy Endowment Fund grew out of the experience, channeling gifts from members and friends into ongoing community mission.
Mission and Core Values
The congregation's stated mission is to manifest Christ's love by empowering all to compassionate service. Five core values shape that work:
- Inspirational Worship that connects the congregation and sends it forth.
- Intellectual Engagement that enriches the faith journey through theological exploration.
- Compassionate Outreach extended to meet critical needs.
- Authentic Hospitality that nurtures and celebrates diversity.
- Faith-Filled Fellowship that binds members together for spiritual enrichment.
Disciples of Christ are often called "people of the table" because celebrating the Lord's Supper lies at the heart of their worship, and First Christian names the open table as a distinctive expression of the hospitality of God.
Sunday Morning at 9:00
Worship takes place in the sanctuary at 9:00 a.m. A typical service runs about an hour and includes hymns, an anthem or other special music from the chancel choir, a sermon from one of the ministers, and communion. The service is also livestreamed on the church's Facebook page. Communion is celebrated every Sunday, partaking in the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Trays are usually passed through the pews, and visitors are welcome to take the bread and cup as the trays arrive. When the congregation is invited to read or speak, the words appear in bold type in the worship bulletin, so newcomers can join in.
Elders serve at the Lord's Table each Sunday and provide spiritual guidance, leadership, and mentorship across the congregation. They are active in the visitation ministry of the church.
Children Worship and Wonder
Children ages 3 through second grade are invited forward at the beginning of the service for a prayer and then escorted to the Worship and Wonder room by a shepherd. Worship and Wonder is a Montessori-influenced program in which children hear Bible stories, learn the meaning of church traditions, and respond through hands-on storytelling and worship materials. Parents pick up their children from the Worship and Wonder room (at the end of the first-floor education wing) at the conclusion of worship. Children are also welcome to remain in the sanctuary with their family for the whole service.
The Nursery
The nursery sits in the first-floor education wing on the right side of the hallway and is open from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. for children from birth through age 3. The room is stocked with toys and books and is staffed by attendants who have passed background checks. Time in the nursery often includes a snack, so parents are asked to let the attendant know about any food allergies. Visitors sign children in with parent details and care needs.
First Christian Cafe and Sunday School
After the 9:00 a.m. service, the First Christian Cafe gathers everyone in the Fellowship Hall for coffee, juice, a light breakfast, and conversation. Sunday school follows at 10:30 a.m. for adults on the second floor of the education wing and for children in their classrooms on the first floor, with children's Sunday School starting at 10:15 a.m. with singing in the Worship and Wonder room. Children's classes follow a lectionary-based curriculum and are grouped by Preschool (potty-trained 3-year-olds) through Kindergarten, 1st through 3rd grade, and 4th and 5th grades. Sunday School wraps up by 11:30 a.m.
Adult Classes on the Second Floor
Four adult Sunday school classes meet on the second floor of the education wing and welcome drop-in visitors.
- Disciples Class. A Bible-based class with a wide range of ages, thoughts, and theological backgrounds, often marked by lively discussion of how the lessons apply to everyday life. The class supports many mission and outreach efforts within the church and on its own initiative.
- FaHoLo Class. The name stands for Faith, Hope, and Love. The class is made up of singles, married couples, working people, and retirees, including lifelong members and newcomers. The motto: the first time you attend, you are a visitor; the second time, you are a full-fledged member of the class.
- Friends in Faith. A laid-back class covering all subjects and welcoming all opinions, seeking to integrate faith and spirituality into busy 21st-century lives.
- Sessions Class. A flexible, informal group that draws on traditional scripture, objective research, and contemporary scholarship, and that occasionally invites guest speakers, watches videos, or attends local lectures.
Wednesday Nights Around the Table
Wednesday evenings have their own rhythm. Dinners begin around 5:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, planned and prepared by Olivia Owen and members of the congregation; attendees are asked to contribute what they would pay for the same meal at a restaurant. A short church service follows in the sanctuary from about 6:15 to 6:30 p.m. Youth groups meet after the service, roughly 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., and the choir rehearses during the same window. There is no Wednesday dinner, service, or youth group during the local school system's Fall Break.
Men's Fellowship on Frederica Street
Every Wednesday at 6:30 a.m., a group of men gathers for breakfast at Great Harvest on Frederica (the church's longstanding meeting spot has been at the Frederica Street bakery location). The group is open to all and includes men of every age, with discussion typically centering on the application of faith to local, national, and international issues.
Disciples Women's Ministries
Disciples Women's Ministries brings together members, friends, and guests of the church from September through June. The Daytime Group gathers on the first Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m., either at the church or in members' homes. The Midday Moon Group meets at Century 21 on the second Wednesday of each month at noon. Each meeting includes study, worship, and fellowship, and the ministry organizes a monthly service project that has ranged from backpack and school-supply drives to the Heartford House Hospice Family Kitchen, the Mitten Tree, the Bouleware Center, Habitat for Humanity, and True North. Ongoing projects include flower and card ministries, holiday bags for shut-ins, a food pantry for the Burmese and Owensboro communities, sewing and cooking with Burmese women, and partnerships with Luther Luckett Chapel in La Grange and St. Benedict's.
Youth in Grades 6-12
Youth ministry includes Sunday School on Sunday mornings in the Youth Zone Room on the second floor, Youth Group on Sunday evenings, and special programming throughout the year. Each year the youth take a mission trip to a different place to learn how others experience the world and faith and to help those in need. Updates appear on Instagram at @fcc.owb.youth. The youth also participate in service projects such as Bunks Across America with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, building beds for children who do not have one.
Children's Ministry Milestones
Children are marked at several milestones along their faith journey: an infant blessing, becoming an acolyte, receiving Bibles, Pastor's Class in preparation for baptism, and becoming junior deacons.
Local Outreach Across Owensboro
First Christian lists a long roster of local outreach, treating service as a core expression of who the congregation is. The list includes adult mission trips, the Backpack Ministry at Cravens Elementary Schools, care packages for Boulware Mission, refugee ministries including a Refugee Food Pantry, school supplies and clothing for Burns and Cravens Elementary Schools, the Carol Mark Community Garden, Christmas and Easter gift bags for "Friends at Home," an Emergency Walk-in Food Pantry and the Germantown Park Pantry, financial support for families, the Flower Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Heartford House, the Help Office, volunteering at the Unity Fellowship Church Soup Kitchen, Lenten DWM Devotional Worship Services, Mission Behind Bars, the Mitten Tree, OASIS, and the Pitino Shelter.
State, Regional, and International Partnerships
The congregation supports Camp Kum Ba Ya, Christian Church Homes of Kentucky, Lexington Theological Seminary, and Transylvania University at the state and regional level. International partnerships include the Disciples of Christ Disciples Mission Fund, Reconciliation Ministries, Week of Compassion, Disciples of Christ/United Church of Christ Global Ministries, and Pilgrimage Christian Church in Suitland, Maryland.
The Legacy Endowment Fund
Out of the rebuilding experience after the 2013 fire, the congregation established the Legacy Endowment Fund to expand mission and impact beyond the walls of the church. Individuals and nonprofit organizations may apply for grants in areas such as community development, diversity and inclusion, education, environment and sustainability, health and human services, hunger and food insecurity, quality of life, social justice, and youth and child services. Operating expenses are generally not funded.
Weddings, Prayer, and Online Worship
First Christian Church currently hosts weddings only for members of the congregation. Prayer requests may be submitted through the church's online form; names remain on the prayer list for one month unless a longer or shorter listing is requested. For those who cannot attend in person, services are livestreamed each week on Facebook.
Giving and Staying Connected
Gifts are made through Realm, where donors can set up recurring donations. The Caller, the congregation's newsletter, and weekly bulletins keep members informed, and Flocknote offers email and text updates. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Food pantry hours run Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., closed noon to 1:00 p.m.
What a First-Time Visitor Can Expect
Worship begins at 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary, with communion served at most services. The bulletin prints congregational responses in bold so newcomers can follow along. Children ages 3 through second grade may go forward for a blessing and then to Worship and Wonder; children from birth through age 3 can be left in the nursery from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. After worship, the First Christian Cafe in the Fellowship Hall welcomes everyone for coffee, juice, and a light breakfast, and Sunday School for all ages runs from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The church is open to all who wish to partake at the Lord's Table.