Downtown Christian Church (Johnson City, Tennessee)

 church, christianity, Romanesque (architecture), 1906_construction, 20th century construction, 1900s construction

Formerly First Christian Church, the history of this church in downtown Johnson City dates back on November 12, 1871, when a small group met in the home of William Hyder (or Hyter) Young (b. December 28, 1811 – d. July 28, 1872 in Johnson City), located at 117 Cedar Street. Since 1871, several congregations have grown from the original effort.

From 1873 (some say it's 1872) until 1879, the church met in the Science Hill High School building. The First Christian Church building, established near the present site at 124 East Main Street (some say it's 212-214 East Main Street), opened for regular worship services on December 4, 1879 by Dexter Snow of Wytheville, Virginia. On May 2, 1905, the building was destroyed by fire and the church bell disappeared, never to return. After the fire, church services were held at Jobe's Opera House (building demolished around 1909, currently The Tennessee Bank building) at 110 East Main Street until it was condemned, and later in a temporary chapel (or wooden tabernacle) at 208 East Main Street. Around early 1906, the present building was built on this location and it was dedicated on June 10, 1906. It is a Romanesque-type building architecture and it includes such features as brick and stucco, asphalt gabled roof, fixed (or custom-made) stained glass windows, stone lintels, and brick arches. The original price of this white brick structure was $5,750 (roughly $180,000 in today's money). The building still stands as part of the current facility, housing the historical room, the hospitality room, and the chapel. Inside the historical room contains a pulpit and two chairs which were made by William Maupin, an early minister around 1875. Those church relics are currently used for Sunday school.

Between 1910-1912, a basement was created under the entire church building and the addition on the east side of the church. The church was expanded by adding a Sunday school annex in 1923 (dedicated on January 7). A sanctuary and gymnasium facility were added in 1951 (dedicated on October 14). On October 22, 1972, part of the First Christian Church members moved to a new building at 2011 Sherwood Drive (address changed 200 East Mountcastle Drive in the 1990's) in north Johnson City. Those choosing to continue meeting (or worshiping) at this East Main Street location became known as Downtown Christian Church around early-November 1972 (but officially formed on December 10, 1972).

At Downtown Christian Church, the worship services are intended to be positive and to encourage you in your daily walk with Christ. We intentionally set aside time to sing, pray, read scripture, reflect, and laugh together.

Each Sunday we observe the Lord's Supper with a time of communion. This time is provided to regularly remind us of the cross and to rest in the hope of eternal life that His sacrifice gives.

335 East Main Street
Johnson City, TN 37601
Phone: (423) 928-3197
Web: downtownchristian.wordpress.com/

Dr. W. Edward Fine, pastor since June 3, 2001

Sunday worship: 10:45am
Sunday school: 9:45am
Wednesday bible study: 7pm

Online worship services available on Facebook and YouTube

External links
www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5RQ8_Rhododendron_in_the_...
www.wjhl.com/coronavirus/list-drive-in-virtual-worship-...
tngenweb.org/washington/records-data/churches-of-washin...
www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/postcards2.htm
mcstor.library.milligan.edu/bitstream/handle/11558/2878...
web.archive.org/web/20200928105615/historicflooring.com...
christianstandard.com/2019/07/a-word-from-bob-wetzel/
mcgarveyice.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/book-review-a-trea...
www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=582091
web.archive.org/web/20210305003937/www.bcyesteryear.com... (former First Christian Church)
tngenweb.org/washington/records-data/churches-of-washin... (former First Christian Church)


Facebook
www.facebook.com/pages/category/Christian-Church/Downto...

YouTube
www.youtube.com/channel/UCu50tAFyILm_BrDTGxd87rg (Downtown Christian Church's YouTube channel)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhpE9pAg7o4