About Us
Our church was founded in 1855 under the leadership of William S. Yohe. The church's first building, a structure 16'X20', hosted the first convention of Kansas Christian Churches on June 13, 1857. It was destroyed by fire shortly thereafter, and the congregation met in various homes. Yohe donated land on 6th Street between Shawnee and Seneca where a new building, dedicated in 1860, was constructed. In 1915 the congregation purchased property between that building and Seneca, and ten years later, ground was broken there for the basement of a new sanctuary. In 1968, the 108-year old sanctuary was torn down and replaced by the current education wing. The front of the church underwent a major reconstruction in 2001, when, after years of makeshift adaptations, the Board of Church Extension helped the congregation develop a workable plan for the installation of an elevator and handicap accessible restrooms. In 2019 when the house immediately east of the church-owned parking lot became available, the congregation purchased that property with the intent of opening a Youth House.
In keeping with Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) sayings "No creed but Christ" and "Unity is our polar star'', First Christian has been active in service with other churches and civic groups throughout the years, sponsoring Boy Scout Troop 176 since 1930 and providing meeting space for various Girl Scout troops since 1970. Vacation Bible School at First Christian has included teachers and participants from several churches over the years; in recent years most notably Pilgrim Church. The congregation sponsored the families of Vietnamese and Cambodian officers who were stranded at Ft. Leavenworth at the close of the Vietnam War. Since 1977 we have housed the Jack and Jill Preschool. The congregation was instrumental in founding H.E.L.P. Incorporated, which eventually evolved into Riverside Resources. For about 25 years beginning in 1989 the congregation sponsored Ring-the-Bells Choir for older teens and adults with developmental disabilities. The church continues to sponsor Gateway Club and a VBS class for that group. Beginning in 1993, First Christian became very involved in organizing CROP Walks for Church World Service. Since 2014, the church has been active with Leavenworth Interfaith Shelter of Hope, with members of the congregation taking a leading part in construction and maintenance of the Kiowa Street building. We look forward to where God calls us next.
Welcome to First Christian Church of Leavenworth! Would you like to know a little bit about us? Well…
We are a friendly church! We guarantee you will not feel like a stranger! Those who have joined our congregation say that they immediately felt like “a part of the family.”
We are a busy church! We believe that God not only wants people to go to church, but God wants the church to go to people! We are active in local, regional and national outreach programs!
We believe the Bible is vitally important! The Bible guides us in everyday life. We are a church that seeks to find God’s truth and reflect that truth in all we do and say!
We are a “We Can Make A Difference” Church! We believe that Jesus created the church to make a difference in the community and world. With God’s guidance, our ministry is able to touch lives and nurture spirits.
We are an Evangelistic church! Jesus’ words to “Go and make disciples of all nations” gives direction to our work. We seek to spread the “Good News” of God’s love through our words and actions.
If this sounds like the church family you are looking for, then we invite you to come and grow with us!
About us! First Christian Church (FCC) is a member of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ (DOC) denomination and has been an active church since 1855. We welcome all people to come and join us. We believe we are Christians only, but not the only Christians. We are also active in the regional church for which you can find more information at: http://kansasdisciples.org/
The red chalice with a white cross is our denomination's logo. We believe that Jesus Christ died for each of us personally and that as we share communion each Sunday, it reminds us of God's gift of grace.
The Staff! The staff at FCC Leavenworth includes people who care about others. They have a dedication to God and to the service of God's people. From the Pastor to the choir director, and from the custodian to the director of the pre- school, each and every one serves the congregation and God in a spirit of Christian fellowship.