First Christian Church is making big changes for the future

Big things are happening at First Christian Church in Salem.

It’s a church that has a rich history in the community and one that church members hope will have a long future.

Judy Dotson is relatively new to the community, she moved to Salem two years ago in October. She was looking for ways to get involved and found her place at the First Christian Church, where she is now heading the children’s ministry.

In the last month, the church has welcomed four new families, all with multiple children.

“It’s exciting,” she said, adding these children who are coming on Wednesdays and Sundays are the “future of our church.”

The church was established on Sept. 10, 1842. In 1849, the congregation erected the first building at the present location on East Walnut Street.

According to the book, A History of the First Christian Church, “In 1904 money was secured to expand the one-room building where other rooms were added to the south of the original auditorium. This auditorium was on the northwest corner of the property at E. Walnut Street. In 1924 additional footage was added to the south-southeast side of the auditorium. In the late 1930s additional remodeling and adding of a third floor on the south side of the building.

“In 1959 the auditorium was imploded and the present auditorium and fellowship hall were built connecting to the existing “educational wing” that was on the south side of the imploded auditorium. In the early 2000s a major remodeling of the current auditorium and fellowship hall was accomplished. This brought FCC to a long overdue plan to update/remove the nearly one hundred year old educational wing and church offices.”

The education wing is now needing quite a bit of work according to Dotson. Controversy has surrounded the church recently with news that they are going to demo the education wing.

Minister Sid Dye confirmed the news. 

Dotson said the building is old and needs a lot of repair, which will cost too much for the church to do. Instead, they are going to tear down a portion of the building and then remodel part of what is left. 

She explained that in the basement in Fellowship Hall, they will remodel the stage to be an area for teenagers to meet, then they will install a removable accordian-style sound proof wall that will be a flex room and can be used for third to fifth graders for their learning area. The rest of the room will remain available with tables for church events, including the community Wednesday night suppers.

As you move through Fellowship Hall and pass the stairs, there is an area with multiple rooms coming off of it. This area will be remodeled and will still be used for meeting rooms by Boy Scouts and Al-Anon.

Upstairs, the gathering area will be reconfigured to include two new bathrooms and a child check in area. The small chapel will be remodeled for a youth classroom and another area will be used for the church nursery.

Kay’s Closet will remain on the top floor as it does currently.

“That way, when the families come in, they can check their child in and then drop them off at the nursery,” explained Dotson.

These proposed changes have not come without tough decisions and long discussions by church members, but ultimately they decided in order to grow, they needed to focus on the children and moving forward in a smaller space to save money.

Dotson said the cost to heat and cool the wing of the building is too much, especially for a large space that is hardly used.

She is excited about the direction the church is going and thankful to be part of a church that continues to do community outreach through various activities.

One of her favorite outreach ministries is the free community meal on Wednesday nights. Dotson loves that families are able to come on Wednesday nights and get fed through the free meal and then get fed the word of God through classes. 

“When you see families come in eating together, praying together and going to classes to learn the Bible together, it makes you feel good,” she said. She cited 3rd John, verse 4. “There is no greater joy than to hear that children are walking in the truth.”

In addition to Dotson, the children’s ministry team consists of: Lora Dotson, LaDonna Briscoe, April Clark, Mark Dotson and Teddi Purkhiser.

The team has a mission statement: To provide a loving, safe and Christ-centered environment for children and teens. Teaching God’s word, showing Christ’s love and partnering with parents and the community to build nurturing and Christ centered relationships.”

Dotson said the church really took the “safe” part of the mission to heart in making the decision to tear down the education wing, especially since that is where the children meet.

“We are so thankful to have a pastor who is passionate about children,” she said. “Pastor Sid has a real heart for families.”

She said while the change may be disappointing for some, it is a positive move for the church in order for it to move forward and grow.

On Saturday, Sept. 15, the church will hold a rummage sale with photos, picture frames, furniture and more. Youth will be selling breakfast and lunch items throughout the day. Church members are hoping the crowd attending the Old Settlers’ Days Festival will stop by and see them either on their way to or from the festival events. The sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Kay’s Closet will also be open that day.

Dye said the project is expected to begin within the next four to six months. 

Look for a story on the history of the church in an upcoming edition of the paper.