Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The congregation of Warsaw First Christian Church will celebrate the church's 150th birthday Sunday.
According to provided information on the church's history, First Christian Church is part of the Restoration movement that began in the late 1700s on the American frontier.
Two hundred years ago in August, the Second Great Awakening in America began with a revival at Cane Ridge, Ky., near the home of Presbyterian Minister Barton W. Stone. During the revival, more than 30,000 people heard preachers from three denominations: Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist.
From this meeting Stone and others determined they wanted to be known as "simply Christians" without party labels. In 1824 Stone joined with Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Presbyterians from Pennsylvania, to form a movement to unite all Christians. Across Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio and Indiana, elders from churches whose members identified themselves as "Christians only - but not the only Christians" began to start churches in every town into which they moved.
In 1849, Elder John Gordon moved from the church at Jelloway, Ohio, to Warsaw. He induced Isaac Butler, living in Marshall County, to preach in Warsaw. He continued to preach at intervals for approximately a year and, in 1851, organized a church with 11 members. Gordon was selected as elder and continued in that office until his death on Sept. 17, 1877. Meetings were held in Gordon's house until 1865.
In March 1865, through efforts of the American Missionary Society in Indianapolis, Robert Howe and N.M. Lord were sent to hold a series of meetings in Warsaw. These meetings continued for two weeks and resulted in the addition of 30 additional members. The church then employed J.B. Marshall as its first pastor and he began his pastoral duties May 1, 1865.
A lot on the northeast corner of Lake and Fort Wayne streets in Warsaw was purchased from Gordon for $500. A small frame church building was obtained from the Presbyterian Church for $150. The building was moved to the lot for $400.
In the summer of 1887 C.W. Granger began his ministry in Warsaw. He led the effort to begin construction on the present building in 1888-89. The old building was sold to the African Americans Church for $250. That building is still being used as a church building on West Winona Avenue, just west of Lake Street.
Meetings were then held in the Opera House on Sunday mornings and evenings for $2.50 per week. On Thursday evenings the church met in the Opera House for $1.25.
Beginning Dec. 3, 1888, the congregation began meeting in Jaques Hall for $10 per month, and continued this practice until the present building was completed in 1889. The cornerstone of the present building was placed April 23, 1889, and the building was dedicated Dec. 1, 1889.
The $16,000 mortgage was paid in full April 28, 1906. The original building had a brick facade and was constructed with only a small partial basement. The highlight of the building was the Czechoslovakian stained glass window, appraised at $250,000 approximately 50 years ago. Today it is worth more than the building itself.
In the past decade the congregation added more than 300 members. The church hired Aker's Church Builders from Crawfordsville to conduct a demographic study of Warsaw and the church, its history, potential and whether or not the present building was sufficient for projected growth. Their report recommended that the church relocate.
In 2000 a 68.5-acre plot of ground was acquired at the south edge of Warsaw on County Farm Road across from Miller's Merry Manor, and was dedicated November 2000. The congregation is in a three-year stewardship, "A Time to Build," to pay for the land and provide for a site study and architectural drawings for a new facility. No timetable has been set for the new building.
The 150th birthday celebration begins Sunday with Bible school at 9:15 a.m. Worship service is Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and will feature Dennis Jernigan's cantata, "We Will Worship," presented by the adult choir under the direction of Dan Beam, music minister. A catered meal is at 1 p.m. at Center Lake Pavilion.
Following dinner there is a sesquicentennial service in the pavilion featuring brief talks from former ministers of the church including: Paul Boden, Lee Bracey, Ed Erskin, Mike Bratten and Marilyn Pitzer.
Ronnie Sams is the congregation's current minister since 1989, Dan Beam is the music minister since 1991, Tim Grasham is the youth/associate minister since 1999 and Scott Smiley is the children's minister since November 2000.
The public is invited to the service, dinner and celebration at Center Lake Pavilion. Tickets are required for the dinner and may be purchased in the church office before Friday. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children age 12 and under and $20 per family.
