First Christian Church of Tyler atendees worship in the newly-built contemporary worship space. (Victor Texcucano/Staff)

Almost 50 years ago, a group of First Christian Church members drove down Broadway Avenue in a caravan to mark the move to a new location on what was then the outskirts of the city.

In the past few years, the same church’s congregation, which numbers about 500, has contemplated what to do about its future.

Some thought maybe it was time to move again, to what is today the southern part of the city. They thought the present location might at some point become obsolete as the city continues to grow to the south.

But in the end, the church decided to stay put at the corner of South Broadway Avenue and Loop 323, a place that thousands of people drive by each day. Research showed them that the most financially feasible option was to stay put and renovate the existing facility.

After a 14-month construction and renovation project, the 126-year-old congregation has a home that’s been made new physically, but a spirit that possesses the same desire to serve this community by meeting needs and sharing the love of Christ, according to its members and ministers.

The transformation inspired them to “really get out there and just show people what we’re about,” said Jim Rapp, chairman of the church’s Spread the Word capital campaign. “And hopefully people will come visit and possibly come back because I think we have a great place and a great family.”

The Tyler church recently completed the $4.8 million renovation project on its campus, which was home to a 50-year-old building. The majority of that cost, $3.5 million, is funded through donor contributions and selling a portion of its property on the north side to a developer, and two businesses now operate there. The church borrowed the rest of the money.

The project included demolishing much of the church’s old structure with the exception of its traditional sanctuary and spiral staircase, and building a new fellowship hall, contemporary worship space, children’s ministry wing and offices. The project also included renovating the church’s Christian Life Center, a separate building, which provides space for Christian education, community programs and church events.

During the renovation of the main building, church members went to the Christian Life Center for all education classes and the sanctuary for worship.

Senior Minister Dr. Chris Pulliam said the finished product has produced a facility much more conducive to meeting the needs of the church and thereby the community.

The new contemporary worship center provides a space catered to the needs and style of that type of service.

Associate minister Robert Goodrich, who oversees the contemporary worship service and students, said the new space provides better sound, lighting and technology for the contemporary service compared with that available in the sanctuary.

The new space means traditional and contemporary services can occur simultaneously, unlike before when the church had to have them at different times because they occupied the same space.

With the new design, people exiting the traditional and contemporary services will naturally walk into the new fellowship hall, named Disciples Hall.

That space features tables and chairs and a place to serve refreshments.

Large windows let in ample light and large words in block letters on the wall remind visitors and guests of why they are there, “worshipping, caring, serving and growing.”

The new space also has a few remnants from the original building. High on one wall, five etched-glass windows that were a part of the old building were preserved and re-installed.

The new space provides for improved security, especially in the children’s wing, and ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Robin Insalaco, the church’s current board chairwoman, said First Christian is known for reaching out to the community and the new facility is going to put the congregation in a much better position to do that.

“We did the renovation because we want to be able to effectively serve the community …” she said. “It wasn’t just to have a pretty new building.”

Beyond the ability to serve, the facility is designed to foster relationships among the people who go to the church.

Church member Bill Hughes, 81, of Tyler, who is retired from the oil and gas industry, said he appreciates the fact that because of the new design people naturally go into Disciples Hall after worship, which encourages them to meet and talk.

His wife, Ombra, 73, agreed saying the new fellowship hall helps bring the church together.

Pulliam said he wants the church to be a light to the community and to draw people to a relationship with God and this building is an effective space in which to do that.

Amid all the newness of the facility, there’s an ever-present reminder of that purpose on the wall near the church’s offices – the mission statement reading, “To speak and live for Christ in our community and world.”

 

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