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
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
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