Our History

First Christian Church was organized in late 1856 by a group of families from Tennessee, Kentucky, Pennsylvania & Virginia. Being of the same faith, and drawn together by the desire to have a place to worship, the first congregation was comprised of 22 members.

Services were held in the homes of members until 1860 when the first house of worship was erected on the site where the current building stands.

Early in the Civil War, Harrisonville was put under military rule and a unit of Union Cavalry took possession of the building, using it to stable their horses. During an epidemic, the church building was turned into a hospital. The pews were converted into beds and all adult members who were not stricken assisted with the nursing.

Following President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, under order of the Military Provost, all slaves in the area were brought into Harrisonville and set free. Night approached, and with no place of refuge prepared, the people of the Christian Church opened their doors and gave, at least, the women and children temporary shelter.

In 1882, the first building was razed and a more modern one was begun. The new building completed and dedicated in 1884.

The church was enjoying a period of great prosperity when the building was completely destroyed by fire in February of 1916. Undeterred, plans for rebuilding were immediately formed. Plans for the erection of a substantial, modern church building were adopted at an estimated cost of $22,000. Ground was broken for the foundation of the new building, our current building, on July 27, 1916.