First Christian Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll pass it along straight. Now, Knox County's got stories tucked into every corner, and this one starts right at the beginning of things. The year was 1907, and a man named Sam Anderson, serving as board chairman, got together a congregation and organized what would become the First Christian Church.

They didn't have a proper building yet, so they did what practical people do. They made do. A schoolhouse became their sanctuary, and for two years that's where they gathered, prayed, and figured out what kind of church they were going to be.

Then 1909 came around, and they built it. A real church, standing on its own. And when they were ready to call their first minister, the name that came was W.

C. Wright. Now here's the part worth slowing down for.

That building they put up in 1909, the one Sam Anderson's congregation raised up from nothing, is still standing. Still in use. Not a museum piece, not a landmark you drive past and squint at.

The oldest church building in the city continuously in use. Some things, if you build them right and mean them when you do, just keep going.

What the marker says

Organized 1907 under Sam Anderson, board chairman. Schoolhouse used for services until 1909, when this church was built. W. C. Wright was called as the first minister. Oldest church building in city continuously in use. (1967)