First Christian opens new doors

Pastor Dave McGullion has seen churches suffer because of building a new church.
Differing opinions on everything from a new building’s size to how elaborate amenities should be tend to create hard feelings, he said.
“That’s why we are so blessed here,” he said of First Christian Church, which opened its new building’s doors this month. “We have a wonderful structure and the people have been fantastic.
“Here, everything the members said has been considered. Then they waited to see what God wanted us to do. It’s been very encouraging.”
The community is invited to a dedication service for the gleaming, 20,000-square-foot worship center at 1608 Oregon Rd. at 4 p.m. Sunday.
The facility features many modern and inviting amenities while staying true to the church’s mission: to provide Christ-centered worship while supporting local and overseas missions.
McGullion is certain the new church will provide the same warm and welcoming atmosphere churchgoers were accustomed to at their former facility at the intersection of East and Buckeye streets.
Long rows of pews can hold 300 people. A stained glass window at the front of the sanctuary — moved from the old church — is directly above a baptismal painting “which really gives this place more color than I had been expecting,” McGullion said.
Circular windows are designed so that the panes surround what appears to be a cross.
The sanctuary also features modern technology, including energy-efficient lights and a state-of-the-art sound system. Audio and video can be broadcast via closed-circuit television to other portions of the church, including a fellowship hall, library, nursery and Sunday school classrooms.
“So many churches use multi-purpose rooms,” McGullion said. “I am so glad that our congregation wanted to keep our sanctuary solely for worship.”
The adjacent fellowship hall can easily accommodate another 300 or so people. As added flavor, the hall has a circular stained glass window identical to the one in the sanctuary.
“It was pushing it if you put 75 or 80 people in our old fellowship hall,” McGullion said. “It was hard for any sort of large get-together.”
McGullion said the room will be filled with circular tables instead of traditional long tables to provide a more intimate setting, even with large gatherings. A ceiling-mounted projector and wall-mounted screen are available as well. And an adjoining fully equipped kitchen can accommodate the largest receptions, McGullion said.
The library, too, is spacious. Adult Sunday school sessions will be conducted there.
Three adjoining Sunday school classrooms serve children from kindergarten through high school. Jerry Whitworth instructs high schoolers, Betty Cunningham oversees grades 4-8 and Sharon Whitworth teaches kindergarten through third grade.
A nearby nursery has features for even younger church-goers, with a separate room for parents to take fussy toddlers. Broadcasts from the sanctuary can be piped into those rooms, as well.
Finally, those entering and exiting the building are greeted by a series of stained glass windows that also came from the old church.
“It works beautifully with the rest of the interior,” McGullion said.
And, McGullion noted, First Christian “has such a rich tradition of music. We certainly want to continue that here.”
Church members already have their sights set on a second phase of construction just north of the building, he noted.
A multipurpose building complete with showers would be a perfect spot for visitors such as missionaries to stay.
“It’s been such a blessing to be able to see God’s hand time and time again as they’ve completed this project,” McGullion said.