First Christian Church to hold 50 year celebration Jan. 26
January 22, 2020
It was a bitterly cold day in Cassville when First Christian Church began meeting in an unfinished, but new, facility. The year was 1970. Over the course of the next few months, the church would be completed and formally dedicated on January 17, 1971.
On January 26, 2020, First Christian Church – Cassville will celebrate 50 years in that once new building, located at 905 Old Exeter Road. Former minister Bert Ward will be in attendance and will share memories of the relocation of FCC in 1970 and dedication in 1971.
At 9 a.m., the cornerstone, set on January 17, 1971, will be removed, and the objects entombed there will be put on display in the church foyer. No one has a recollection of what might be in the cornerstone, but there is much interest in finding out. After photographing the items, they will be returned to the cornerstone. The congregation has been invited to bring their prayers, written and sealed in an envelope, to be placed behind the cornerstone when it is re-cemented.
A celebratory worship service will begin at 10:40 a.m. followed by a fellowship meal.
FCC - Cassville had her start before the Civil War but was officially organized in January 1887 under the leadership of E.A. Frost, minister. In the late 1800s, the church owned one-fifth interest in the Union Meeting House, which was located at 7th and Gravel Streets. Eventually, First Christian Church sold its interest and built a building on the same corner, northeast of where the United Methodist Church now stands.
Dedication services there were held on June 28, 1908. FCC continued to grow. Several additions to the building were made to accommodate the congregation. By 1963, the church was out of room and began to consider relocating. In 1965, 11 acres were purchased where FCC now stands.
Work on the new facility began on June 22, 1969. At that time, the church was outside the west city limits of Cassville. The congregation was willing to work and hundreds of man hours went into the construction of the building.
According to the Cassville Democrat (January 13, 1971), the building was “designed to seat a total of 380 persons. The seating of the church is by dark pews with white trim. The turquoise covering in the padding is matched by the carpeting which covers the entire auditorium and the balcony. Dimensions of the auditorium and the foyer are approximately 80 X 42 feet.”
In that same issue of the Democrat, minister Bert Ward wrote: "A new and effectual door has been opened for us, and with its opening shall come the joy of greater service, deeper commitment, and enlarging opportunities. We must not allow fear or timidity to prevent us from walking through this door, or keep us from inviting all who will to step through the door with us to fellowship with Christ. Truly, in this sanctuary, His name will be lifted up. We shall sing of that name. Songs of praise, adoration, of joy and inspiration will ring through these halls. We will baptize in that name. Those who will rise from that watery grave will walk in the newness of life...we will commune in that name, teach in that name, we will preach in that name. The Christ and Him crucified shall be our theme..."
Dr. Chuck Terrill, present minister, is organizing the special events on January 26. Dr. Terrill writes, “There have been hundreds who have been blessed by the ministry of FCC. In the past 50 years, we have sent out missionaries. People have been married here and babies dedicated here. Many have been immersed into Jesus Christ. Many people have attended a loved one’s funeral, here. Hundreds of children have attended Vacation Bible School, or are alumni of God’s Little Kingdom Daycare program.
“We invite all of you, those who have blessed us, and those who have been blessed by us, to celebrate this special day, January 26.
“Come and put your own prayer behind the corner stone. If the Lord tarries, you, or your grandchildren, can have it back in January of 2070.”
It was a bitterly cold day in Cassville when First Christian Church began meeting in an unfinished, but new, facility. The year was 1970. Over the course of the next few months, the church would be completed and formally dedicated on January 17, 1971.
On January 26, 2020, First Christian Church – Cassville will celebrate 50 years in that once new building, located at 905 Old Exeter Road. Former minister Bert Ward will be in attendance and will share memories of the relocation of FCC in 1970 and dedication in 1971.
At 9 a.m., the cornerstone, set on January 17, 1971, will be removed, and the objects entombed there will be put on display in the church foyer. No one has a recollection of what might be in the cornerstone, but there is much interest in finding out. After photographing the items, they will be returned to the cornerstone. The congregation has been invited to bring their prayers, written and sealed in an envelope, to be placed behind the cornerstone when it is re-cemented.
A celebratory worship service will begin at 10:40 a.m. followed by a fellowship meal.
FCC - Cassville had her start before the Civil War but was officially organized in January 1887 under the leadership of E.A. Frost, minister. In the late 1800s, the church owned one-fifth interest in the Union Meeting House, which was located at 7th and Gravel Streets. Eventually, First Christian Church sold its interest and built a building on the same corner, northeast of where the United Methodist Church now stands.
Dedication services there were held on June 28, 1908. FCC continued to grow. Several additions to the building were made to accommodate the congregation. By 1963, the church was out of room and began to consider relocating. In 1965, 11 acres were purchased where FCC now stands.
Work on the new facility began on June 22, 1969. At that time, the church was outside the west city limits of Cassville. The congregation was willing to work and hundreds of man hours went into the construction of the building.
According to the Cassville Democrat (January 13, 1971), the building was “designed to seat a total of 380 persons. The seating of the church is by dark pews with white trim. The turquoise covering in the padding is matched by the carpeting which covers the entire auditorium and the balcony. Dimensions of the auditorium and the foyer are approximately 80 X 42 feet.”
In that same issue of the Democrat, minister Bert Ward wrote: "A new and effectual door has been opened for us, and with its opening shall come the joy of greater service, deeper commitment, and enlarging opportunities. We must not allow fear or timidity to prevent us from walking through this door, or keep us from inviting all who will to step through the door with us to fellowship with Christ. Truly, in this sanctuary, His name will be lifted up. We shall sing of that name. Songs of praise, adoration, of joy and inspiration will ring through these halls. We will baptize in that name. Those who will rise from that watery grave will walk in the newness of life...we will commune in that name, teach in that name, we will preach in that name. The Christ and Him crucified shall be our theme..."
Dr. Chuck Terrill, present minister, is organizing the special events on January 26. Dr. Terrill writes, “There have been hundreds who have been blessed by the ministry of FCC. In the past 50 years, we have sent out missionaries. People have been married here and babies dedicated here. Many have been immersed into Jesus Christ. Many people have attended a loved one’s funeral, here. Hundreds of children have attended Vacation Bible School, or are alumni of God’s Little Kingdom Daycare program.
“We invite all of you, those who have blessed us, and those who have been blessed by us, to celebrate this special day, January 26.
“Come and put your own prayer behind the corner stone. If the Lord tarries, you, or your grandchildren, can have it back in January of 2070.”
