First Christian Church-Vandalia, Missouri
Love - Acceptance - Forgiveness
History
The Beginning
After a study of the scriptures, a group of Bible-loving people set to work with much faith and vision to organize the First Christian Church in Vandalia. Organized April 26. 1879, the church started in the Old School Presbyterian Church with 32 members.
There was no house of worship at this time so at first they met in homes. After a while, they met in the Vandalia depot and later in the old school house on the north part of town. In 1885 the church purchased three lots in town for $600. The church house was built at a cost of $3000 with the seats and two stoves added at cost of $200. Brother Chinn held the first meeting in the completed church building. His mother, at 65 years of age, was one of the first to be baptized in the new baptistry. In 1914 when J.P. Rowlinson was minister, the church membership was 225 with a Sunday School enrollment of 240.
Building For The Future
In 1924, because of the current size of the congregation and with a view to the future, it was decided, and probably with some emotional sadness, to tear down the current building and build a larger more useful facility to minister the gospel to Vandalia, and July 3, 1924 the Cornerstone was laid for the new building. In the fall of 1924, the columns in front were set in place. the construction had begun on May 1, and the building was erected at a cost of $40,000. The congregation met in the Orpheum Theatre on the north side of town until the basement was completed where they held services while the remainder of the building was being finished. The dedication service was held July 26, 1925. The first person baptized in the new building was Kester Weldy.
Growth and Influence
In 1949 the church called Brother John W. Hall to be their minister, and things began to flourish even further under his leadership. The Bible School was reorganized and grew from 50 in eight classes to 250-300 in 31 classes with 42 teachers and officers. The average Sunday morning attendance was over 200 with 125 average in the evening service. During Brother Hall's time with First Christian, 552 souls were won to Jesus.
While Brother Hall was in Vandalia, he and First Christian with some others helped organize and launch Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Missouri ( www.cccb.edu ). Tuesday, September 3, 1957 the college held it's first convocation. He was a powerful influence and man of God that God used to do great works in Vandalia and even spread Vandalia's reach throughout the world through the training of ministers and missionaries. Brother Hall continued to serve in his fine manner until 1965 when he went to work with Standard Publishing Company of Cincinnati, Ohio.
We have not only seen and participated in the start of Central Christian College, but also led and helped in the planting of new churches in Mexico, Hannibal, and elsewhere. Also our support of missions across the nation and around the world is a very important aspect of our love and work. With the help of CMCE (Central Missouri Christian Evangelizers ), M.O.V.E. (Missouri Operation for Vigorous Evangelism), and the support of churches near us.
Education Wing
Brother Fred Fish followed John Hall and saw the building and completion of the education wing and remodeling of the auditorium at a cost of $80,000, in 1966. In 1973, something brand new to First Christian happened, the call of a youth minister to work with young people. Gary Jones at nearly seven feet tall came and served the church.
Though our historical roots are deep, our look to the future is broad, because we realize this, God has called us to win the lost and strengthen Christians and our "heart" is to see God's will accomplished. Since 1879 we have preached Jesus and we are committed to stand firm preaching Jesus until he returns.
After a study of the scriptures, a group of Bible-loving people set to work with much faith and vision to organize the First Christian Church in Vandalia. Organized April 26. 1879, the church started in the Old School Presbyterian Church with 32 members.
There was no house of worship at this time so at first they met in homes. After a while, they met in the Vandalia depot and later in the old school house on the north part of town. In 1885 the church purchased three lots in town for $600. The church house was built at a cost of $3000 with the seats and two stoves added at cost of $200. Brother Chinn held the first meeting in the completed church building. His mother, at 65 years of age, was one of the first to be baptized in the new baptistry. In 1914 when J.P. Rowlinson was minister, the church membership was 225 with a Sunday School enrollment of 240.
Building For The Future
In 1924, because of the current size of the congregation and with a view to the future, it was decided, and probably with some emotional sadness, to tear down the current building and build a larger more useful facility to minister the gospel to Vandalia, and July 3, 1924 the Cornerstone was laid for the new building. In the fall of 1924, the columns in front were set in place. the construction had begun on May 1, and the building was erected at a cost of $40,000. The congregation met in the Orpheum Theatre on the north side of town until the basement was completed where they held services while the remainder of the building was being finished. The dedication service was held July 26, 1925. The first person baptized in the new building was Kester Weldy.
Growth and Influence
In 1949 the church called Brother John W. Hall to be their minister, and things began to flourish even further under his leadership. The Bible School was reorganized and grew from 50 in eight classes to 250-300 in 31 classes with 42 teachers and officers. The average Sunday morning attendance was over 200 with 125 average in the evening service. During Brother Hall's time with First Christian, 552 souls were won to Jesus.
While Brother Hall was in Vandalia, he and First Christian with some others helped organize and launch Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Missouri ( www.cccb.edu ). Tuesday, September 3, 1957 the college held it's first convocation. He was a powerful influence and man of God that God used to do great works in Vandalia and even spread Vandalia's reach throughout the world through the training of ministers and missionaries. Brother Hall continued to serve in his fine manner until 1965 when he went to work with Standard Publishing Company of Cincinnati, Ohio.
We have not only seen and participated in the start of Central Christian College, but also led and helped in the planting of new churches in Mexico, Hannibal, and elsewhere. Also our support of missions across the nation and around the world is a very important aspect of our love and work. With the help of CMCE (Central Missouri Christian Evangelizers ), M.O.V.E. (Missouri Operation for Vigorous Evangelism), and the support of churches near us.
Education Wing
Brother Fred Fish followed John Hall and saw the building and completion of the education wing and remodeling of the auditorium at a cost of $80,000, in 1966. In 1973, something brand new to First Christian happened, the call of a youth minister to work with young people. Gary Jones at nearly seven feet tall came and served the church.
Though our historical roots are deep, our look to the future is broad, because we realize this, God has called us to win the lost and strengthen Christians and our "heart" is to see God's will accomplished. Since 1879 we have preached Jesus and we are committed to stand firm preaching Jesus until he returns.
