First Christian Church
Street View of First Christian Church, 1500 North Mississippi |
First Christian Church is a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) located in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The church was established as First Baptist Church in a log house on Third Street between Main and Scott streets in Little Rock, Arkansas, on July 24, 1824. The founding Baptist pastor was Silas T. Toncray. In July 1832 the church was renamed First Christian Church. In the 1830s and until 1849 the congregation was led by former Cumberland Presbyterian pastor W. W. Stevenson. Stevenson provided leadership in the construction of the Town-Clock Church on Scott Street between Third and Fourth streets. The church was used for the first time on September 14, 1845.
A brick church replaced the Town-Clock Church in 1887. This church occupied the southeast corner of the intersection of West Tenth Street and South Louisiana avenues. The church was rebuilt in 1908 as the congregation grew in size. An Educational Building was completed in 1950.
The church is presently located at 1500 North Mississippi Street. The current church site was chosen following a review of the locations of member households in 1957. The 10.3-acre 1500 North Mississippi property was acquired in May 1959. A groundbreaking ceremony for the church sanctuary, children's building, youth-adult building, and administrative offices was held on May 21, 1961. The church buildings were finished by March 1, 1962, and the first services held three days later.
The church has sponsored a local food pantry for at least ten years.
