First Christian Church in Alexandria/Pineville is part of the great American religious movement known as the Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ).  The Disciples came into being during the early nineteenth century as a result of several spontaneous groups who shared only a determination to eliminate divisive human creeds as a test of fellowship in the body of Christ.

The Churches are called Christian Churches in an effort to eliminate any divisive element from the name of the Church.  The word disciple means learner and the name Disciples of Christ arises out of a humble desire to be known as those who would learn of Christ.  The church is considered the body of Christ and hence, the Christian Church.  The slogan of the Disciples since the days of Thomas Campbell has been, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity.”  

The local congregation was organized on July 3, 1904.  Katherine Davis Evans, one of the founding members recalls in 1967:

"We found seven or eight people in and around Alexandria who were members of our people, that people who believed in helping answer Christ’s prayer that all should be one even as He and His Father were one, who took no creed but the Bible, no example but the Apostolic Church to guide them and were willing to push the effort to unity on a foundation that all sects could accept.

The original group was composed of Senator J.R. Thornton, Mr. and Mrs. J.P Snelling, Miss Katherine Davis (Evans), Mrs. Longmire, and Mr. and Mrs. Tillery.  This group sponsored a tent meeting by Rev. J.L. Haddock.  The meeting was attended by members of all churches and by people of Jewish faith many of whom assisted in the building fund of the first structure.  The meeting was held on the Public Square and the fire department prepared the baptistery.

The tent meeting was followed by a convention at which Rev. J.Z. Zollers, our beloved Rev. Claude Jones, Rev. Granville Jones, and many others were joined by several hundred laymen in a real highlight experience for the young Church.  The homes of all denominations were opened to accommodate the crowd."

The first church building was constructed early in the 20th century following the central Louisiana “lumber boom” of the 1890’s when many historic structures were erected in Alexandria.  In 1906, the church a wooden structure at what is now the Rapides Parish Courthouse.  First Christian joined other houses of worship built downtown in that era:  Gemulith Chassodim Synagogue (1908), First Presbyterian Church (1922), St. Francis Xavier Cathedral (1899, 1907), Emmanuel Baptist Church (original wooden structure, 1897), First United Methodist Church now Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church (1907), St. James Catholic Church (1915), and Shiloh Baptist Church (1904).

The original wooden structure was replaced in 1931 by a more substantial brick building a few blocks away where the present day Hixson Funeral Home is located. The congregation continued its purpose of building the Christian life in men and women and through them, in the community and throughout the world.  By 1966, FCC had strong leadership by laypersons, in addition to ministers and professional staff. Both men and women, young and old, were active in the life of the church as evidenced by FCC being organized as a Board with President, Vice President and Treasurer.  Elders (7), Deacons (11), and Deaconesses (6), and Junior Deacons (5) and Junior Deaconesses (4).   Staff included the Minister, Office Secretary, Choir Director, Organist, Nursery Attendant, Housekeeper Grounds Attendants and Custodian.  

In 1983, the congregation of First Christian moved to its present location east of Pineville.  The Disciples of Christ have always been interested in any movement toward the unity of Christian people and working with people of different faiths traditions.  First Christian Church is active participants in local, regional, and national efforts to cooperate for the common goal of helping people draw close to God and to live out their faith in daily life.  We continue the traditions of including laywomen and men in leadership of the congregation, working with people of faith from all denominations and traditions, and building community wherever we can.