History of First Christian Church
A series of cottage prayer meetings began on October 31, 1965 which resulted in the founding of First Christian Church of Morris. On February 13, 1966 that small group of Christians began holding worship services at the Masonic Temple and the charter of the church was opened one week later, resulting in 25 people becoming charter members.
In 1967 the congregation moved to the small church building in the 500 block of Liberty street which is presently used by the Morris Theatre Guild and worshiped here until 1972. Chuck Salmon was the first minister serving from 1966 to 1971.
In 1968 a farm house and three acres of land on Southmor Road was purchased and ground broken in June of 1971 for a 32' x 60' building. Dedication services were held on January 23, 1972 with attendance averaging in the 50's.
On the first Sunday in May of 1972 Chuck and Janice Richardson began their ministry with the church. In October of 1973 the congregation became financially self-supporting, having received financial support from the Chicago District Evangelistic Association for eight years.
On May 18, 1975 ground was broken for the first addition to the facilities which provided room for classrooms and office space. It was dedicated on October 12, 1975.
Attendance was averaging about 110.
In June 1978 ground was broken for the next worship center and it was dedicated on February 25, 1979. Attendance was averaging in the 140's.
November 11, 1979 the first additional staff person was called with the hiring of a weekend youth minister. That position became a full time Associate Minister position in 1983. The attendance was averaging in the 250's.
On February 3, 1985 the congregation began holding multiple worship services going to a double/double format of two worship services and two Sunday school sessions each Sunday morning.
On September 3, 1985 Rainbow Preschool was started in order to meet a need for early childhood programming in Morris.
On August 30, 1987 a mortgage burning service was held. The worship center had been paid for in eight and one half years and the church was debt free. Plans were already under way for the next addition that was to be the first of a two-phase building program.
In 1988 the congregation added their third full-time staff position. September 25, 1988 ground was broken for the fourth building program containing the present offices, nursery, and basement classrooms. This unit was built debt free due in large part to a "Miracle Day Offering" of $183,400 received on December 18, 1988. The addition was dedicated on May 21, 1989; attendance was averaging 335 that year.
June 3, 1990 the congregation added 4.6 acres east of the present building to bring the total to ten acres owned by the church.
On January 16, 1994 our present Youth Minister, Nate Ferguson, joined the staff. This marked the increase in staff to four full-time positions.
On April 23, 1995 the congregation broke ground for the 5th building program with the addition of a 600 seat worship center. Attendance was averaging 477 in worship at the time and Sunday School was averaging 333.
October 8, 1996 marked the beginning of professional Christian counselor David McFadden's work in our building, meeting clients here one day each week.
On June 1, 1999 the staff expanded to a fifth full-time position when Tim Henson joined the leadership staff as Director of Children's Ministries. Attendance averaged 679 in worship this year.
On March 1, 2000, Todd Thomson joined our staff as Minister of Adults.
February 7, 2002 Trudy Moore joined our staff filling the position of Director of Worship and Music. Also, the mortgage on the present Worship Center was paid off and the congregation became debt free. Plans began in earnest to complete the building with the addition of a Family Life Center.
On September 14, 2002 we added a third Worship Service on Saturday evening.
April 1, 2003 In an effort to maintain consistency, a full-time Office Manager (Debra Johnson) was hired.
June 8, 2003 the congregation and elders approved construction and financing of the Family Life Center. Ground breaking ceremonies were held August 10th.
On July 1, 2004 Greg Boldt began as Youth Minister to replace Nate Ferguson who will be leading our first daughter church, The Village Christian Church.
On September 26, 2004 the Family Life Center was dedicated.
October 17, 2004 marked the first service at our first daughter church. The Village Christian Church, led by Nate Ferguson, held a service for 185 people at 10 a.m. at Minooka Junior High School. Average attendance for First Christian Church was 775.
