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First Christian Church
Our History
The Christian Church had its beginnings in the United States around the turn of the nineteenth century. The movement had its rootage in many areas of the country among professed Christians of various denominations. These had the strong conviction that the competing divisions in the church of Jesus Christ were sinful and they had a yearning for Christian unity under the Lordship of Jesus Christ as the Head over His Church. They were convinced that the Church must forget the man-made requirements imposed on those who would be Christ's followers and return to the simple requirements established by Christ and faithfully recorded in the New Testament.
One of the primary movements involved in the early beginnings was one whose leader was Barton W. Stone of Kentucky. Two other such movements occurred around the same time which also led to the formation of "Christian" churches. The two groups had Methodist and Baptist backgrounds while Stone was a Presbyterian. Stone's group took the name "Christian" only on June 28, 1804.
The Great Western Revival came to its climax at a Camp Meeting held at Cane Ridge Meeting House where this was held. Much stress was laid by the preachers on the idea that Christ died for all and this raised a very real theological question for that day. As a result Stone along with four others was suspended by the Presbyterian Synod of Kentucky in 1803. It was then that they took the name "Christian" and declared that the Bible alone would be their guide and standard. The growth of the movement was very rapid.
Another main stream of the Christian Church arose in Pennsylvania. Thomas Campbell had come to the New World as an Old-Light, Anti-Burgher, Seceder Presbyterian Minister. He had earlier outgrown any interest in the diverse issues represented in the name of his denomination. He sought to promote unity among his brethren even in the Old Country. When he came to this new land and found the divisions still prevalent 9even though completely irrelevant) he sought to bring the scattered brethren together around the Lord's Table. He was accused of heretical action because of this. He had arrived in America in 1807 and on September 13, 1808, because of his Christian concern for unity, he renounced the authority of the presbytery and synod.
Thomas Campbell authored one of the most outstanding documents on Christian Unity which has ever been written, stating many of the propositions which have guided the Christian Church since that time. He begins by stating The Church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one. He presented this document (known as the Declaration and Address) to the "Christian Association of Washington" on September 7, 1809. They approved it and ordered it printed.
It was at this point that Alexander Campbell, Thomas' son, arrived in America. Alexander had also been moving in the same direction as his father, although not aware of what was happening to his father across the Atlantic Ocean. Thomas met his son in western Pennsylvania October 19, 1809, and let him read the newly printed Declaration and Address. It was an expression of his own convictions.
Thomas Campbell applied for admission to the regular Presbyterian Synod of Pittsburgh and was rejected. Then on May 4, 1811, the Christian Association of Washington constituted itself as the first "Christian Church". They built a simple frame building, holding the first service in the Brush Run Church on June 16, 1811. Alexander was ordained here on January 1, 1812, and the leadership gradually moved into his hands.
One of the foremost expounders for Christian Unity through the restoration of the New Testament principles was Walter Scott. In 1827, he was appointed Evangelist for the Mahoning Baptist Association with whom the "Christians" had joined for the sake of unity in the Church. His chief interest and message was in defining the way in which a person becomes a Christian. The steps he outlined were: (1) Faith, (2) Repentance, (3) Baptism, (4) Remission of sins, (5) Gift of the Holy Spirit. The first three steps man had to take and the other two steps he can be assured will be taken by God. Over 1,000 additions were received the first year.
In August 1830, the Mahoning Association was dissolved and the group of churches became Disciples of Christ. The Disciples and Christians united in 1832 in Lexington, Kentucky. The first national convention was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 24-28, 1849, with 156 representatives from one hundred congregations in eleven states. The American Christian Missionary Society was formed at this time. The growth from this time forward has been amazing.
Though not organized as a "Church" the "Movement" began to take on responsibilities (Primarily through individuals or small groups) for the tasks which must be performed by those who accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Leaders recognized the need for higher education. Thomas Campbell was educated at the University of Glasgow, Alexander was also, Walter Scott at the University of Edinburgh, and Barton W. Stone in the Academy of David Caldwell who was a Princeton graduate. Bethany College was chartered in 1840 and many other schools were established. There are now 34 institutions of higher learning including Texas Christian University, Transylvania College, Drake University, Butler University and Phillips University. There are eight homes for children, and eleven homes for the aging supported by those in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Missionaries are located world-wide, the work being coordinated by the Disciples Home Missions and the Division of Overseas Ministries. The United Christian Missionary Society which was once the primary missions organization for the Christian Church, now manages investments for the funding of all missions work for the Chrisitian Church (Disciples of Christ). There are many other Agencies which serve as arms for those who make up the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and these presently report through the General Assembly and the Office of the General Minister and President. A World Convention brings together members from all over the world for study and fellowship.
Having become an official denomination in 1968, current membership of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) exceeds 800,000 members in the United States and Canada. Those who make up the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) now constitute the largest Christian denomination that had its origin on American soil.
The Christian Church had its beginnings in the United States around the turn of the nineteenth century. The movement had its rootage in many areas of the country among professed Christians of various denominations. These had the strong conviction that the competing divisions in the church of Jesus Christ were sinful and they had a yearning for Christian unity under the Lordship of Jesus Christ as the Head over His Church. They were convinced that the Church must forget the man-made requirements imposed on those who would be Christ's followers and return to the simple requirements established by Christ and faithfully recorded in the New Testament.
One of the primary movements involved in the early beginnings was one whose leader was Barton W. Stone of Kentucky. Two other such movements occurred around the same time which also led to the formation of "Christian" churches. The two groups had Methodist and Baptist backgrounds while Stone was a Presbyterian. Stone's group took the name "Christian" only on June 28, 1804.
The Great Western Revival came to its climax at a Camp Meeting held at Cane Ridge Meeting House where this was held. Much stress was laid by the preachers on the idea that Christ died for all and this raised a very real theological question for that day. As a result Stone along with four others was suspended by the Presbyterian Synod of Kentucky in 1803. It was then that they took the name "Christian" and declared that the Bible alone would be their guide and standard. The growth of the movement was very rapid.
Another main stream of the Christian Church arose in Pennsylvania. Thomas Campbell had come to the New World as an Old-Light, Anti-Burgher, Seceder Presbyterian Minister. He had earlier outgrown any interest in the diverse issues represented in the name of his denomination. He sought to promote unity among his brethren even in the Old Country. When he came to this new land and found the divisions still prevalent 9even though completely irrelevant) he sought to bring the scattered brethren together around the Lord's Table. He was accused of heretical action because of this. He had arrived in America in 1807 and on September 13, 1808, because of his Christian concern for unity, he renounced the authority of the presbytery and synod.
Thomas Campbell authored one of the most outstanding documents on Christian Unity which has ever been written, stating many of the propositions which have guided the Christian Church since that time. He begins by stating The Church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one. He presented this document (known as the Declaration and Address) to the "Christian Association of Washington" on September 7, 1809. They approved it and ordered it printed.
It was at this point that Alexander Campbell, Thomas' son, arrived in America. Alexander had also been moving in the same direction as his father, although not aware of what was happening to his father across the Atlantic Ocean. Thomas met his son in western Pennsylvania October 19, 1809, and let him read the newly printed Declaration and Address. It was an expression of his own convictions.
Thomas Campbell applied for admission to the regular Presbyterian Synod of Pittsburgh and was rejected. Then on May 4, 1811, the Christian Association of Washington constituted itself as the first "Christian Church". They built a simple frame building, holding the first service in the Brush Run Church on June 16, 1811. Alexander was ordained here on January 1, 1812, and the leadership gradually moved into his hands.
One of the foremost expounders for Christian Unity through the restoration of the New Testament principles was Walter Scott. In 1827, he was appointed Evangelist for the Mahoning Baptist Association with whom the "Christians" had joined for the sake of unity in the Church. His chief interest and message was in defining the way in which a person becomes a Christian. The steps he outlined were: (1) Faith, (2) Repentance, (3) Baptism, (4) Remission of sins, (5) Gift of the Holy Spirit. The first three steps man had to take and the other two steps he can be assured will be taken by God. Over 1,000 additions were received the first year.
In August 1830, the Mahoning Association was dissolved and the group of churches became Disciples of Christ. The Disciples and Christians united in 1832 in Lexington, Kentucky. The first national convention was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 24-28, 1849, with 156 representatives from one hundred congregations in eleven states. The American Christian Missionary Society was formed at this time. The growth from this time forward has been amazing.
Though not organized as a "Church" the "Movement" began to take on responsibilities (Primarily through individuals or small groups) for the tasks which must be performed by those who accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Leaders recognized the need for higher education. Thomas Campbell was educated at the University of Glasgow, Alexander was also, Walter Scott at the University of Edinburgh, and Barton W. Stone in the Academy of David Caldwell who was a Princeton graduate. Bethany College was chartered in 1840 and many other schools were established. There are now 34 institutions of higher learning including Texas Christian University, Transylvania College, Drake University, Butler University and Phillips University. There are eight homes for children, and eleven homes for the aging supported by those in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Missionaries are located world-wide, the work being coordinated by the Disciples Home Missions and the Division of Overseas Ministries. The United Christian Missionary Society which was once the primary missions organization for the Christian Church, now manages investments for the funding of all missions work for the Chrisitian Church (Disciples of Christ). There are many other Agencies which serve as arms for those who make up the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and these presently report through the General Assembly and the Office of the General Minister and President. A World Convention brings together members from all over the world for study and fellowship.
Having become an official denomination in 1968, current membership of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) exceeds 800,000 members in the United States and Canada. Those who make up the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) now constitute the largest Christian denomination that had its origin on American soil.