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  First Christian Church 110 Ada Drive Ellwood City PA 16117

phone: 724-758-3348 

  

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History of the Church

In early 1901, with the assistance of J. M. Davies, the First Christian Church was organized with a membership of twelve. For a few months services were conducted in a building on Sixth Street. The charter was granted in July, 1901 with twenty registered members.

Charter Members 

Pearl Aiken

W. E. Booher

Mrs. A. M. Brown

Mrs. Lyda Bubb

Jennie Burkhart

Violet Christley

Ada Coates

A. E. Eckles

Hattie Elliott

Chas. E. Harris

Clara Harris

Emma E. Harris

Elizabeth Hazen

Byron Henderson

Sara Henderson

Lydia Nagel

Mary Pence

F. M. Shaner

Minnie Shaner

William Henderson

The first church building was dedicated in October, 1901 on the corner of Fourth and Wayne in Ellwood City. I. A. Thayer, minister, delivered the first sermon in the new building. J. M. Davies accepted the call as the first full-time evangelist.  Under the leadership of Harry Belles, the congregation grew rapidly and a larger meeting house was needed. The frame building was razed in 1926 to make room for a large three story brick building. A mortgage burning ceremony was held on Sunday, October 6, 1946 when the building was paid for.

Through the years the brick building went through many remodeling projects.  By 1992 it was showing it's age.  On February 16, 1992, the congregation voted on a feasibility study conducted by Alexander Construction Company. On October 23, 1994, the congregation voted to relocate. On February 12, 1998 we closed on 7.7 acres purchased from Harry Fisher in the Pheasant Walk subdivision in Franklin Township.

The ground breaking took place on a very cold Sunday afternoon, January 10, 1999. The brick building on the corner of Fourth and Wayne was sold to Love Hope Baptist Church on April 28, 1999. The next week, May 3, 1999, Alexander Construction Company began their work on our new building.

The first official services at the new building were held Sunday morning, November 7, 1999 with 200 present. The new building was dedicated on Sunday, November 21, 1999 with Dennis Herko, Ken Henderson, Jeff Johnson, Kevin O'Brien, Chuck Fordyce and Bob O'Brien as our guest speakers.  

On October 20 and 21, 2001,The First Christian Church officially celebrated 100 years of service and growth. Speakers for the event include Nick Tomeo, John Campbell, Chuck Fordyce, Dave and Sharran Pryor.

 

Ministers Who Have Served

The First Christian Church

J. M. Davies 1901 - 1902

Harry T. Rector 1902 - 1903

F. F. Shultz 1904 - 1905

B. F. Johnson 1906 - 1907

Frank L. Taylor 1907 -1910

O. J. Howearth 1910 - 1912

J. A. Lytle 1912 - 1913

W. N. Arnold 1913 - 1916

G. L. Messenger 1917 - 1918

Harry Belles 1918 - 1920

Robert W. Sparks 1920 - 1922

D. S. Beardsley 1922 - 1922

Murry Hunter 1922 - 1922

Harry Belles 1922 - 1925

C. G. Huffer 1926 - 1930

H. D. K. Huber 1930 - 1934

Herman Patton 1934 - 1935

Eldrid G. Aubrey 1935 - 1937

Robert H. Taylor 1937 - 1937

Ashley G. Booth 1937 - 1938

Garth Maynard 1938 - 1938

Irvin T. Green 1938 - 1939

Herman Patton 1939 - 1943

Louis D. Riddle 1943 - 1944

Edgar Saum 1944 - 1944

John A. Rogers 1944 - 1945

A. Homer Jordan 1945 - 1949

Robert Smelser 1949 - 1950

Raymond W. Stewart 1950 - 1956

Charles E. Fordyce 1956 - 1963

Clarence W. Morris 1963 - 1974

Paul C. Gay 1975 - 1984

John Campbell 1985 - 1987

Thomas A. O'Brien 1987 - 1991

Jon G. Vance 1992 - 2002

Brett A. Coney 1992 - 1994 (Youth)

Paul O. Porter 1995 - 2002 (Associate and interium pastor)

Jim Lilly 2002-2004

Thomas A. O'Brien  2005-present