First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will celebrate their 90th year of ministry in Conroe Nov. 5.
First Christian Church is located at 3500 North Loop 336 W, Conroe, Texas, 77304. The 90th celebration will begin at 10:45 a.m. Worship in the sanctuary and the reception will immediately follow at noon. This will be a time of celebration for former members and current members to rejoice in the continuation of the ministry that was begun 90 years ago in Conroe.
It was September 1933 when the first congregational meeting was held in a tent on the corner of West Davis and San Jacinto Street.
After several months the church moved to its first permanent location, near the corner of Lewis and Thompson Streets and remained there for five years. Then, in 1938, a tract of land at 510 West Davis Street was donated to the church. A house of worship was built there near the current location of Wells Fargo Bank and Walgreen’s pharmacy. Meetings were held in that church for the next 26 years.
Growth continued, and again larger facilities were needed. In January 1960, the search was on to locate a new church home. A five-acre tract was acquired at the northwest corner of North Frazier and Cartwright Road (now Loop 336) in May 1962. This move showed a great sense of vision and courage because at that time, Cartwright Road was only a dusty path. Today Cartwright Road is Loop 336 and that site is one of the busiest spots in Conroe.
A new church was built there and dedicated on Nov. 17, 1963. Ten years later, growth again demanded new space and a major building addition was dedicated on Aug. 19, 1973. Twenty-one years later, a Feasibility Committee was named to assess future church needs, as the congregation had once again outgrown its facilities.
The decision was made to move on and get ready for more growth. The property was sold in April 1984 and a 5.7 acre site on North Loop 336 West was purchased. Ground breaking ceremonies took place on May 15, 1985, and construction began. The congregation moved into the completed Family Center on Dec. 29, 1985. Construction continued through August 1986, until the congregation worshiped in its new sanctuary for the first time on Sunday, Aug. 17, 1986.
In its organization and structure, First Christian Church reflects democratic and practical considerations rather than ecclesiastical. Since each congregation of the Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) is self-governing, First Christian Church, Conroe, functions freely and effectively with no outside interference or control. Church administration is unified in an elected board and is carried out as a ministry-based church.
Feeding the hungry is First Christian’s largest community ministry, with the Soup Kitchen providing lunches for 60 people every Tuesday that is distributed through the Salvation Army in Conroe. On Wednesdays, the Food Pantry distributes groceries for thousands of individuals every year.
First Christian Church is community minded and several organizations hold their meetings using the beautiful church, sanctuary and gym. Currently these are: West Conroe Adventist Hispanic Church; Compass Homeschool Co-op; Grace Pointe Dance (Christian Dance School); PFLAG; CYT Christian Youth Theater summer camp; and the Coushatta Camellia Society holds their annual flower show at First Christian Church.
Rev. Wayne Ivey, pastor of First Christian Church says, “My wife, Mary Louise, and I came to First Christian Conroe nine years ago. It is pure joy to serve a church family that is so involved in the community. We have been known as “The Pumpkin Patch Church” for over 30 years. We have parents bringing their kids to our pumpkin patch who came with their parents years ago.
I also tell folks that really we are a “food pantry with a church attached.” Over 30 volunteers put together one of the largest food pantries in the county every Wednesday morning and serve from 100-200 families on a weekly basis. We are at our best as a church when we are serving the community.
We are a congregation of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the only mainline Protestant denomination founded on American soil. We practice open membership and open communion in our life and worship. One of our founders remarked, “We have no creed but Christ.” I invite you to worship with us on Sunday morning at 10:45. All are welcome and all really does mean all. May God’s blessings be on you and yours.”
