By Loretta Fulton

Just three years ago, First Christian Church sold its historic downtown property to its neighbor, First Baptist Church, and moved into a former Nazarene church on Antilley Road.

In that short period of time, FCC already has outgrown its new facilities and is planning an expansion. That’s quite a change from the reality that made the sale and move necessary. The historic church, which dates to 1885, had been located at 1420 N. Third St. since 1921. But, like many historic downtown churches, it had suffered from a declining enrollment and aging buildings, which were expensive to maintain. Something had to be done, and the congregation began a long journey.

“They did an incredible journey of faith,” Greg Morris, pastor, said in a 2021 article in Spirit of Abilene. “It was attractive to me to be a part of something like this.”

Morris preached his first sermon in the new location on March 7, 2021, not long after the congregation moved in. In the past three years, good things have happened at both First Baptist Church and First Christian Church. The sprawling complex that once housed FCC was perfect for First Baptist’s need to expand its community outreach programs. Now, all are housed in The Hope Center-the perfect name, not only for the hope that the ministries bring to Abilenians, but also the hope that the sale gave to members of First Christian Church. 

Greg Morris, pastor of First Christian Church, leans over the counter in the kitchen. The church is building a 5,000 square-foot addition. Photo by Loretta Fulton

First Christian is averaging about 75 people in attendance on Sunday mornings, with approximately 25 percent being children–unheard of in today’s environment of declining church attendance. 

Two new families have joined with five children each, and three families have joined with three children each. Sixty kids from the church and the neighborhood attended Vacation Bible School in July. The number of children is one reason for the expansion, which will add 5,000 square feet to the existing 6,000 square-foot building.

“We’ll have room for our children’s area to grow,” Morris said.

The contractor, Harris Acoustics, expects to begin the project within the next month or two, Morris said, with construction estimated at four months. The addition will be built at the end of an existing long hallway. The current hallway contains classrooms that are half the size of the ones that will be built in the new addition. Some walls will be knocked out to create a new, larger nursery. 

Rendering of new addition at First Christian Church.

A pass-through will be created in the kitchen wall for easy access to the new 1,800 square-foot fellowship hall. The addition also will house offices, choir room, storage areas, and two ADA-compliant restrooms. 

The growth of First Christian Church can be attributed in part to its neighborhood location, which is across from The Wylie High School football stadium. Part of it is due to placing fliers on doorknobs and part of it is due to the church’s hosting VBS, Easter egg hunts, and other activities that are popular with children and parents. A house on the west side of the property was renovated to house the Mother’s Day Out program. And part of it is due to the pastor’s philosophy.

“I believe if you’re willing to reach out, God will honor that,” Morris said.

About 60 children attended Vacation Bible School at First Christian Church in July.

Greg and Judy Morris moved to Abilene in 2021 after serving for 17 years in Odessa. For the first 10 years, Greg was an education administrator at a Baptist church. He later was ordained in the Disciples of Christ denomination and spent seven years at Bethany Christian Church. When the Morrises saw what was happening with First Christian Church in Abilene, they caught the vision.

“Judy and I have really loved being a part of it,” Greg said. “I firmly believe God called us here.”

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene