WHO ARE THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST?

We are a diverse group of people who care for each other and look for opportunities to grow and learn about ways to serve others.

Study and fellowship groups offer opportunities to ask questions and discover ways to deal with life's difficult issues. As we share together, we find love and acceptance and supportive friendships are formed.

If you are currently searching for a church family, we invite you to discover our congregation.

WHAT DO DISCIPLES BELIEVE?

Like most Christians, Disciples affirm:

Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God, and offers saving grace to all.
All persons are special creations of God.

Beliefs and practices usually associated with Disciples include:

Open Communion.  The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is celebrated in weekly worship.  It is open to all believers.

Baptism by immersion. In baptism the old self-centered life is set aside, and a new life of trust in God is made possible.

Diversity of opinion. Each person is free to determine individual belief guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit, study and prayer.

Importance of church unity. All Christians should cooperate in ministry wherever possible, affirming each other as sisters and brothers in Christ.

The ministry of all believers. Both ministers and lay persons lead worship, direct service opportunities and nurture spiritual growth.

Freedom of belief. Disciples are called together around one essential of faith:  belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

Disciples reflect frontier roots:

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was founded in the early 1800’s in the United States.

Seeking to move beyond denominational disagreements, the founders envisioned only one unified Christian Church, modeled on the New Testament.

The church grew rapidly across the American frontier, in part because it shared many values of the early settlers. 

Today our nearly 4,000 congregations still share some of those characteristics.

Each congregation is a self-governing unit and calls its own pastor.
Worship services may be formal or informal, and include lay men and women as leaders.

Open discussion of issues is encouraged.  A variety of opinions is welcome.
Our congregations include a broad ethnic and racial membership.

First Christian Church’s Place in History - By Ruth Gash Taylor 

As early as 1869, a small group of Disciples of Christ began holding prayer meetings and communion services in Cedar Rapids homes.

It was not until six years later that a congregation was formally organized.

The organization meeting was held August 1, 1875, in the United Presbyterian church building at Third Avenue and Second Street SW.  Thirty-one persons signed a covenant, with three others signing immediately afterward to bring the charter membership to 34.

First pastor was the Rev. N. A. McConnell, who served the congregation from 1875 to 1881.  During those years, the congregation met in a building at the rear of United Presbyterian church.

In 1881, Robert E. Swartz became pastor. Under his leader­ship, the congregation purchased a house and lot at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Madison Street (now Fourth Avenue and Fifth Street SE) for $4,000.

In 1882, the congregation dedicated "the little red brick building", which was to be the congregation’s home for 31 years. The building was enlarged and beautified in 1893. The YWCA stands on the site today.

Around this time, a mission was established on the west side of Cedar Rapids.  It became known as Second Christian church, and, later, as Cedar Christian. 

During the pastorate of Dr. Walter M. White, First Christian's present building was constructed on Third Avenue SE, and was dedi­cated in 1913.

Shortly after occupation of the new building, the congrega­tion called Abbott Book, later executive secretary of the Northern California Council of Churches, to be a full-time director of re­ligious education.  First Christian was the first church in the denomination to employ such a staff person.

Jane Boyd, whose name was destined to become a household word in Cedar Rapids, was a member of First Christian.  Originally, she was a member of the Board of the Missionary Society.  In time, she became a deaconess, served on the General Board, and taught a women's Sunday school class.

In 1959, First Christian was a guiding force when Noelridge Park Christian church began existence.

One hundred years of wit­ness were celebrated here in 1975, and celebration again marked 1988 when 75 years in the present building was observed. The 125th year was celebrated in 2000.

 

If you are interested in more about the History of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) visit this website:  http://www.discipleshistory.org