THE HISTORY OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

     The first Disciples congregation in Winston-Salem was organized on August 1, 1890 in the building known as Union Grove school house, located just off Liberty Street. By November of 1891, the congregation had built a small chapel at 660 West Fourth Street. The congregation continued to meet weekly in the chapel, which seated 100. In 1896, the congregation decided to try to build a church. Winston and Salem were recovering from the recession of 1892-94 and were experiencing rapid growth. The population of Winston in 1896 was 13,500 and Salem had a population of 5,500. In 1897, a new foundation was laid for a new brick church on the West Fourth Street site. The finished building was dedicated on April 9, 1898.

     In 1917, Lawson Campbell came to Winston-Salem to minister to what was by that time called the Fourth Street Church of Christ. He led the congregation to build a new church and in 1922, the second house of worship was dedicated.

     By 1954 Winston-Salem was rapidly growing and the population moved away from the middle of town to the suburbs. On November 18, 1953, the congregation voted to build a new church; the Fourth Street location was no longer large enough to meet the needs of the congregation. On May 15, 1954, the congregation, now known as First Christian Church, purchased a 4.77 acre lot on Country Club Road, and by December 9, 1955, had exceeded its goal of $100,000 to begin the building of the new facility. With Rev. Kermit Traylor serving as minister of First Christian Church, the new educational and fellowship building was dedicated in 1958, and on May 21, 1961 the new $350,000 sanctuary was dedicated.

     In the mid-1970's, the congregation of First Christian Church expanded the opportunities for women to serve the church by electing women as Elders and Deacons for the first time. Mayme Stanley and Dr. Ruth O'Neal were the first women in the congregation to serve in the role of Elder.

     Between 1954 and 1974 the congregation faced many challenges and trials, accomplishments and celebrations. The congregation was stunned and saddened by the death of Dr. Traylor on February 4, 1974 and on June 8, 1974 dedicated its sanctuary "to the glory and worship of God and in memory of his servant, our minister and friend, Kermit Traylor, D.D., Minister 1955-1974. Whoever would be great among you must be your servant. Mark 10:43."

     In 1974, the church dedicated its new pipe organ and welcomed Robert J. Kintner as senior pastor. By 1977, Dr. Jerry Gray Whitt was hired to succeed Kintner. The ten years between 1977 and 1987 were a time when the church focused on community relations and outreach programs. First Christian Church became well-known in the community for its efforts with the Community Soup Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, the Forsyth Prison Chaplaincy, Crisis Control and Contact.

     The church was also seeking ties with other denominations, both nationally and in the community. The Community Thanksgiving services in which First Christian Church joined with Knollwood Baptist Church, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Highland Presbyterian Church and the Greek Orthodox Church served to strengthen ties with other churches in the immediate community.

     During the 1990's, the church experienced growth, great opportunities and many challenges. In 1994 the Vision Committee was formed and began a capital campaign for major renovations to the children's wing and Taylor Hall; and the congregation joined with Habitat for Humanity to build a house in the Winston-Salem area.

     Reverend Dexter L. Simpson became Minister of Youth in July 2002. Before accepting the call as senior pastor of Stokesdale Christian church in 2004, he was named Associate Minister, Christian Education of First Christian. Dr. Michael D. Simpson became the senior minister of First Christian Church on April 1, 2003.

     First Christian Church continues to be a caring Christian community and we  look forward to worship, service, and ministry for years to come.