Two Sunday Mornings on McClain Avenue
First Christian Church of Scottsburg gathers at 255 West McClain Avenue in the heart of Scottsburg, Indiana, the seat of Scott County in southern Indiana. The congregation has occupied this corner of McClain for more than five decades, but its roots run back to a schoolhouse west of town in the early 1870s. Today the church family worships in two identical Sunday morning services at 9:00 am and 10:30 am, with classes and programs for every age running alongside both services.
On any given Sunday the building fills with a mix of suits and jeans, babies and great-grandparents, longtime members and first-time guests. The church's stated mission is simple and is printed across the top of its main page: helping people find their way back to God and grow in their relationship with Jesus. Everything from the worship style to the recreation leagues flows out of that single sentence.
Helping People Find Their Way Back to God
FCC describes itself around five core values that together shape the rhythm of the week. The first is Pursue God, the call to love God with heart, mind, soul, and strength. The second is Pursue Life Together, the conviction that believers grow best in circles and not in rows. The third is Pursue Worship, the practice of giving every part of daily life back to God. The fourth is Pursue Generosity, the use of time, talents, and resources for the kingdom. The fifth is Pursue Restoration, the belief that every Christian has a unique calling and that the body of Christ only works when each part plays its role.
Those values are not abstract slogans. They show up in the Sunday gatherings, in a women's Bible study on a Wednesday afternoon, in a basketball league on a Monday evening, and in the way the staff responds when someone calls asking how to be baptized.
What to Expect on a Sunday Morning
Worship at FCC is blended, drawing on both older hymns and newer songs, with a band leading the congregation. Pastors describe the goal of singing not as the style of music but as the posture of the heart, and they expect people to encounter God through song, prayer, quiet meditation, serving together, and doing life together. Communion is observed every Sunday as a reminder of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the bread and cup are open to any believer regardless of church background. Children are welcomed and included rather than separated from the main service; they move to age-appropriate rooms for part of the morning and return to their families.
There is no dress code beyond showing up in clothes. Some people wear suits and dresses, others wear jeans and t-shirts, and the church has been known to say plainly that there are no perfect people in the building except Jesus, and He does not care what anyone wears.
A Century and a Half in Scott County
The story of First Christian Church of Scottsburg begins around 1870, when a lay preacher named Wesley Hartley held services in a schoolhouse on the farm of Ben Hubbard, just west of Scottsburg. In 1874 a two-week revival in town led to the organization of fifty-six people as a new congregation called First Christian Church of Scottsburg. The group met in the courthouse once a month under Hartley's leadership until 1882, when elder C. A. Manker reorganized the church for weekly worship. By September of 1883 the membership had grown to 203.
In January 1884 Eleanor D. Hawes and James K. Hawes deeded the first property for a meeting house. John Martin loaned the church his sawmill, and several men worked at night sawing the lumber. By 1886 the one-room structure was finished. A second building followed when the cornerstone was laid on December 3, 1904, and the church grew steadily through the early twentieth century. Under preacher O. A. Trinkle, who began his ministry in 1919, the membership reached 556 by June of 1921. An education wing was added to the west side of the building during the ministry of Dixon Hall and completed in the winter of 1953.
The current sanctuary at 255 West McClain Avenue was begun on October 8, 1972, under preacher Paul Patton, and the building was completed in 1973 at a time when the membership neared 1,000. A family life center and gymnasium were added in 1988 under Tom Mobley. Under Phil LaMaster, who led the church from 1999, the congregation expanded to more than 2,000 members with weekly attendance of 1,200, and the church purchased almost 36 acres on South Gardner Street for future ministry and outreach. A youth and outreach building and sports fields were dedicated under Larry DeWitt, and the Shelter on the South Campus was remodeled in 2018 to serve as a community resource.
The present lead pastor, Matthew Craig, returned to FCC in July of 2017 after earlier staff years from 1998 to 2003 and a decade of ministry in Pueblo West, Colorado, and at Richwood Church of Christ in Ohio. Through the years of change the congregation has marked its 150th anniversary and now averages more than 450 people in weekend worship, a number the church says represents a steady recovery after the disruptions of the early 2020s.
What We Believe
FCC is rooted in the Restoration Movement tradition of the Stone-Campbell family, often identified simply as the Christian Church. Its teaching rests on the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the reliable final authority on Christian faith and practice.
The church confesses one God who exists eternally in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and who created and sustains the universe. It teaches that Jesus is the eternal divine Son of God who took on human likeness, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross as the full payment for sin, rose again on the third day, ascended to heaven, and will one day return in glory. The Holy Spirit is described as the one who convicts people of their need for Christ, regenerates and indwells believers at conversion, and empowers them to live Christ-like lives.
The church teaches that human beings were created for relationship with God, that the first man and woman chose independence from Him, and that every person since has lived under the consequences of that separation. Salvation is offered by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and is received by repentance, confession of faith, and baptism. A believer's salvation is held secure by Christ alone. The church teaches weekly communion as a regular remembrance of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and as a hope of one day sharing a meal with Him in heaven.
The church describes itself as the body of Christ, a living organism centered on five scriptural principles: discipleship, fellowship, worship, evangelism, and service.
Baptism by Immersion
Baptism at FCC is by full immersion of a professed believer, and the church does not practice infant baptism. Instead, parents are asked to commit to raising their children in the faith until each child is old enough to make his or her own confession of Christ. The church teaches that baptism is an act of obedience to Christ, a public expression of trust in Him, and a symbolic participation in His death, burial, and resurrection. Anyone who repents of sin and confesses faith in Jesus is a candidate for baptism. The pastoral care minister, Marc Carr, walks each person through the meaning and the next steps.
Those who were baptized as infants or who feel their first baptism was not a sincere commitment are encouraged to be baptized again as adult believers. The church also teaches that anyone who has fallen into sin after baptism should repent and seek forgiveness, without the need for a second baptism.
Becoming a Member
FCC asks its members to walk through five biblical markers - believe, confess, repent, be baptized, and live a holy life - and to live out the church's five core values. Membership is open to any immersed believer in Christ, regardless of where baptism occurred. The church asks that anyone who teaches or leads ministry first become a member, but attendance, groups, and Sunday worship are open to everyone, member or not.
Kids From Birth Through Fifth Grade
Children's ministry at FCC is built around the conviction that Sunday can be the best day of the week for a child. Two programs run during both Sunday services, with check-in located upstairs.
The Clubhouse is designed for toddlers through pre-K and offers an age-appropriate lesson and worship time. KIDZONE, for kindergarten through fifth grade, follows an interactive lesson with small group time. A nursery is provided for the youngest children.
Each summer the church hosts Kidz Conference, a one-day event for children ages four through fifth grade that combines games, large-group worship, and Bible teaching in a format similar to vacation Bible school. Older elementary students also have the opportunity to attend SuperStart, a regional fourth- and fifth-grade conference held each March in Louisville.
Middle and High School Students
Students in sixth through twelfth grade meet at 9:00 am and 10:30 am on Sunday mornings at the Main Campus for Bible study and small groups. On Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, REFUEL gathers middle and high schoolers at the South Campus for a small group community focused on learning and worship. The youth ministry is led by Oakley Barger, who has been part of the FCC team for more than twenty years and is known for hands-on activities, retreats, lock-ins, and trips.
Student ministry also includes an annual winter retreat at Wonder Valley Christian Camp, a fall kickoff event at the Shelter, and regular connection points with other area churches.
Young Adults, Men, and Senior Adults
The Young Adult ministry, geared toward people from post-high school through about age 25, meets on Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 10:30 am in Room 216 of the Main Campus for College Cafe, an informal gathering for food and conversation. Eric Banister, the worship pastor, oversees the group.
Senior Adult ministry is led by Marc Carr and includes Sunday morning Bible study classes for older adults in the Fellowship Hall and in Room 211, plus a steady calendar of fellowship events designed primarily for those 65 and older. Most events are open to anyone who would like to join.
Men's ministry is coordinated through the Groups and Gatherings page and connects men to Bible study, fellowship, and service opportunities on and off the campus.
Women at FCC
The women's ministry at FCC is overseen by Kitty Perkinson and reaches across every stage of life. The Bible study calendar includes a Tuesday afternoon study at The Rock at 3:30 pm, a Tuesday evening study at 5:30 pm in the church library led by Annette Murphy, and a Wednesday afternoon study from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in The Living Room led by Kitty Perkinson. A Sisters of Spirit gathering meets monthly for mentoring, His Hands is a monthly sewing and crafts group, and the Widows Luncheon gathers widows from the community on the last Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am at The Rock.
A grief and loss ministry called Moving Forward meets regularly for ladies who have experienced loss. Each fall the women also gather for an overnight retreat at Wonder Valley Christian Camp, and seasonal events such as A Cup of Christmas and the annual Trunk or Treat draw together women, children, and the wider community.
Small Groups and Sunday School
The church describes groups and gatherings as intentional, authentic community where people pursue God and pursue life together. On Sunday mornings the church offers three ongoing adult Bible study options in addition to the worship services: the Murphy class and the Williams class for senior adults at 9:00 am, and the Hendricks class for ladies at 10:30 am. Studies use the Christian Standard material, a verse-by-verse study of Scripture, or video-based lessons through RightNow Media.
Outside of Sunday mornings, the church runs community groups, connection groups, and care groups that meet in homes throughout the week. Small groups are described as the primary place where transformation happens - in circles rather than rows.
Recovery and Support
FCC partners with Scott County Celebrate Recovery, a recovery program that meets every Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church on McClain Avenue and serves people dealing with hurts, habits, and hang-ups. The church also runs Moving Forward, a ladies' grief and loss support group. Both ministries are listed on the church's recovery and support page as ongoing places for people to find encouragement and accountability.
Recreation and Upward Sports
Recreation is a major part of life at FCC and is led by Eric Mullins, the church's Pastor of Recreation and Involvement. The gym on the Main Campus hosts pickleball on Thursday nights and is used throughout the year for Upward leagues in soccer, flag football, basketball, and cheerleading. Upward leagues serve children from preschool through eighth grade and emphasize both athletic skills and Christian teaching.
Each fall the church hosts a church-wide campout at Hardy Lake that includes pitch-in meals, worship around a campfire, and a Saturday message. The annual schedule also includes the First Christian Golf League ("Saved by the Par") and student mission trips tied to Wonder Valley Christian Camp.
Scottsburg Christian Preschool and Daycare
Scottsburg Christian Preschool and Daycare is a ministry of First Christian Church that serves families throughout Scott County. The program is directed by Sherry Mosley and is housed at 201 West McClain Avenue. The preschool and daycare are designed to provide a safe, nurturing environment where young children are introduced to the love of Jesus while being prepared for kindergarten. Parents who are interested in enrolling a child or in joining the teaching staff can contact the daycare directly.
Two Campuses in Scottsburg
FCC operates from two connected campuses in Scottsburg. The Main Campus at 255 West McClain Avenue is the historic home of the church and houses the sanctuary, fellowship hall, children's classrooms, gym, library, and offices. The South Campus at 750 South Gardner Street sits on the property purchased under Phil LaMaster's leadership and includes The Shelter (a large fellowship and event building), The Rock, sports fields, and the youth and outreach building.
Sunday worship takes place only at the Main Campus, while student ministry, women's events, sports leagues, and large community gatherings typically meet at the South Campus.
Generosity and Giving
Giving is taught as an act of worship and an expression of trust. The church offers online giving through PushPay, allowing one-time gifts or recurring automatic withdrawals from a bank account or card. Checks may be placed in the offering plates during any service or mailed to the finance department at the church address. The church also accepts donations of stocks and mutual funds. Contribution statements are issued by January 31 of each year.
During its 150th year, FCC launched a Generosity Capital Campaign with a goal of raising $150,000 to improve and update facilities at both campuses. Online giving is available at pushpay.com/g/scottsburgchurch.
Online Sermons and Staying Connected
Every Sunday at 11:00 am the latest sermon is posted on the church's YouTube channel, where a deep archive of past messages is available for replay. Sermons are also available as a podcast through the Podbean app. A weekly email carries news, calendar updates, and sign-up information, and the church maintains an active presence on Facebook. The lead pastor, Matthew Craig, also writes a regular blog with personal reflections on faith, grief, and Christian living.
Online services can be accessed at FCC's YouTube channel.
Staff, Elders, and Deacons
Matthew Craig has served as lead pastor since July of 2017, having previously been on staff at FCC from 1998 to 2003 and having planted and led churches in Colorado and Ohio. Oakley Barger leads the children's and student ministries. Kitty Perkinson oversees pastoral care and women's ministry. Marc Carr, who grew up in the church, leads pastoral care and the senior adult ministry. Eric Mullins leads recreation, sports, and finance. Sherry Mosley directs the preschool and daycare. Eric Banister leads worship. Jordan Hutton serves on the pastoral care team. Teresa Spellman manages the office and coordinates food for large church events.
Five men serve as elders on three-year terms and speak together as one voice for the church: Jim Morgan as chairman, Matt Phillips, Justin Stevens, and Nyle Sullivan. Deacons include Eric Copple, Tim Williams (IT and communications), Chris Reschar Jr. (New Creation Addiction Ministry), Darin Brown, and Bill Calloway.
A Church Still Being Written
FCC describes its mission in the same words it has used for years - helping people find their way back to God and growing in relationship with Jesus - and traces its story from a schoolhouse revival in 1874 to two Sunday services on McClain Avenue in the 2020s. The church celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2024, but the focus of the staff and congregation is not on the milestone itself. It is on the next family that walks through the doors, the next student who needs a ride to REFUEL on a Sunday night, the next widow who finds friendship around a table at The Rock, and the next believer who steps into the baptismal waters to declare that Jesus is Lord.
In a county-seat town in southern Indiana, First Christian Church of Scottsburg continues to gather, to teach, to serve, and to pursue God and pursue life together, just as it has for a century and a half.