First Christian Church
Closes After 117 Years

Lincoln Sentinel-Republican, 12 December 1996
The First Christian Church of Lincoln held its last service on Sunday, Dec. 8, 1996. The church’s pastor, the Rev. Jesse W. James, is retiring and he and his wife Ellen are moving to Upsala, Minn.
The church, which is located across the street east of Lincoln Elementary School, came into being in 1879. Its first pastor was the Rev. Roy L. Hendrickson. Hendrickson’s daughter, Alice, 92, remains a member of the church to this day. In 1962, the church joined the Conservative Congregational Christian Church Conference of St. Paul, Minn.
The Evangelical Church of Lincoln is in the process of purchasing the First Christian Church building. Contracts have been signed and Evangelical will take possession on Dec. 11. The closing of the sale is scheduled for Dec. 31.
The Rev. Rob Stefek of the Evangelical Church has been holding worship services at Hall’s Memorial Chapel for the past several years. Norma Thompson, a member of the church, commented the congregation was very grateful to Ross Barben for providing a place of worship but they were looking forward to having a church of their own.
The Evangelical Church will hold its first church service at its new location at 319 S. Fourth Street, on Dec. 15.

FIRST CHRISTIAN
This church was organized in 1879 and Rev. John S. Strange, one of the early pioneers of Lincoln County, was one of its first ministers. The church building pictured in this 1911 card was built in 1906. 

GeorgeGEORGE R. STONER
This card is not dated, but I believe it is from the late teens or '20s. On the back are the principles of the church. This was not intended to be mailed; it appears it was intended to be passed out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St.FIRST CHRISTIAN
This is a photo from May 2004 of the First Christian Church in Lincoln as it looks today. As you can see, the steeple was removed at some point.