WHO WE ARE //
Our Story
1838
Alexander Campbell (one of the Restoration Movement’s key leaders) preaches at Canton’s courthouse. It sparks momentum, but there isn’t yet a permanent church.
1855
Canton First Christian Church was organized in 1855 with thirty-five members. The first building was located on the current site of Canton City Hall and seated three hundred people.
1880
In 1880, after selling that structure to the city, a new church building with a seating capacity of 450 was erected on the southeast corner of Dewalt Ave. and Fourth St. SW.
1902
A new era begins for First Christian and the Restoration Movement nationwide, as P.H. Welshimer is hired and becomes the defining leader of the church’s early-20th century story. He would serve and lead the church for 56 years.
1905
A new building was dedicated in October 1905 with a seating capacity of 1000. A series of fifty nightly meetings began that day and during those weeks 606 people joined the church. Due to this rapid growth, it would not take long for a need of an even larger building.
1912
A newer, larger church building is dedicated on February 18. 365 people join the church that day, and 1,028 are added by the end of a four-week evangelistic meeting.
1924
FCC purchases the rest of the city block and adds a 500 seat chapel and classrooms for Bible studies. The church would expand this building again in 1955 to cover the entire block.
1957
P.H. Welshimer dies on August 16, and Harold Davis succeeds him as pastor.
Mid 1960’s
A study concludes the downtown facility can no longer meet the church’s needs. Steep stairs, less than ample parking, windowless classrooms, and a deteriorating downtown area led to the decision to relocate to a new site.
1971
FCC votes to purchase a 20-acre site on Cleveland Ave. (between 25th & 30th Streets). Under Senior Minister E. Richard Crabtree, after nearly six years of planning, the first services are held at 2600 Cleveland Ave.
1997
John Hampton accepts the call to become Preaching Minister.
2002
FCC officially closed on a 114-acre piece of property in North Canton.
2006
On December 10, FCC moves into the Market Ave. facility (our current Washington Square-area home base).
2010
Scott Rosen is named as Senior Pastor.
2014
Ryan Rasmussen is named as Lead Pastor. FCC would grow rapidly throughout the following year, being named by Christian Standard magazine as a fifth-fastest growing Christian church in America.
2022
Jimmy McLoud is named as Lead Pastor. In November, the church purchases a 5-acre property and 35,000 square foot facility at 1600 Whipple Ave. N.W., officially beginning the process of launching a second campus.
2025
FCC experiences a record year as 272 people are baptized.