Our Blessed Beginnings...
First Christian Church was incorporated on June 14, 1928, from a nucleus of 42 members from the Mulberry Street Church of Christ. The decision to form a new church was reached on the previous day at a meeting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. L.F. Watts.

The congregation met for the first time on Sunday, June 17, 1928, in the I.O.O.F. auditorium on South Fountain Avenue. The congregation continued to meet there for several months. By March 1929, there were approximately one hundred names on the charter.

Professor W.D. Willoughby, of the Cincinnati Bible Seminary, began preaching for the congregation in September of 1928. He continued as their minister on a part time basis, until June of 1930. Shortly thereafter, the congregation felt the need for a full time minister and extended a call to Floyd H. Pence, a graduate of Cincinnati Bible Seminary. Mr. Pence was serving the Central Christian Church in Findlay, Ohio.

On March 31, 1931, the congregation leased the abandoned church building located at 311 W. High Street. The congregation now numbered four hundred seventy-four (474) members under the leadership of Floyd Pence and the church board. The official board of the church at that time consisted of: George L. LeFevre, Chairman; W.C. Ryan, Financial Secretary; Kermit Knick, Treasurer; Robert E. Baker, Clerk; P.D. Flora; William E. Slaughter; Fred Bryant; Frank Shough; Carl Wilson; Robert Kame; Frank Corbin; George Meek; John Utterbach; Everett Johnson, L.L. Hall; William Maxwell; William Roeth; P. Tingley; David Chatfield; A.D. Carver and Charles Chappell.

In 1936, E.A. Watts purchased the building at 311 W. High Street, Springfield, Ohio, and gave it to First Christian Church as their permanent home in memory of his wife, Jessie Mae Watts, with the understanding that they were to redecorate. Extensive remodeling took place and the congregation met in the Memorial Hall until all the work was completed. They returned to the building on September 1936.

In August 1944, John A. Wilson was called to minister the congregation. Mr. Wilson was a graduate of Cincinnati Bible Seminary and was serving with the congregation at the Bridgetown Church of Christ in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

The congregation continued to grow. In 1952, the balcony was remodeled which allowed for more seating in the auditorium. In 1956, a new three floor Educational building was added, with a small kitchen and additional classrooms. As growth continued, additional parking space was needed. In 1966 and 1967, surrounding land was purchased to help enlarge the available parking space.

With the continued growth of the congregation, there was a need for more space for classrooms and worship service. In 1975, the existing auditorium and building was placed in service. To fulfill the need for more parking, the congregation purchased the properties north of High Street to use for parking.

In 1988, the congregation celebrated the 60th anniversary of First Christian Church. Thirty five (35) of the sixty (60) Timothies and Priscillas were in attendance. Four remaining charter members were also in attendance.

After forty five (45) years of ministering to the congregation, John A. Wilson announced his retirement from the pulpit ministry in 1989. He continues to serve today in the capacity of calling and teaching.

David Cordrey was extended a call to serve the congregation in 1989. Under his leadership, the decision was made to purchase land on the north side of the city of Springfield for extended growth and relocation of the congregation. In 1999, David Cordrey accepted a call from a congregation in Kingsport, Tennessee.

After filling in as a part time evangelist, Dale Holzbauer, a professor at Cincinnati Bible College and Seminary, was extended a call to fill the pulpit as our Senior Minister.

Thousands have been taugh through First Christian’s outreach here at home and on the foreign fields in some twenty five (25) countries with financial support and even some of our own members serving on the missionary field. First Christian Church has also established several new congregations in the area. Some are: Lake Avenue Christian Church in New Carlisle, Ohio; Medway Christian Church in Medway, Ohio; Northside Christian Church in Springfield, Ohio; and Urbana Christian Church in Urbana, Ohio. Nearly one hundred (100) Timothies and Priscillas have gone into full time Christian Service. Some have gone to Africa, Ecuador, Italy, India, New Guinea, Spain and Alaska. Many serve as ministers, music ministers, youth ministers, educational directors and church secretaries.