126 years after its founding, First Christian Church Whittier will conclude its visible ministry on December 31st, 2019. The congregation has decided to gift the entire Uptown Whittier campus to the DOC Christian Church Homes ministry to be redeveloped as low-income Senior Housing Apartments The landmark 1923 Sanctuary Building will remain intact, unchanged from the outside, but remodeled on the interior to accommodate apartments. Although this remodel and repurposing of the campus is cause for sadness for some, as so many wonderful memories were created there, it is also a cause for great joy as the ongoing legacy ministry will continue to serve “the least of these” and therefore serve and worship Christ Himself. In the proposed 75-unit low-income housing project, Jesus will find a place to lay his head!
The church’s Pipe Organ has also been given away, and plans are in formation to make its new home a few blocks away at St. Matthias Episcopal Church, also in Uptown Whittier. In addition to making one time legacy financial allocations to various local Whittier charities and ministries, the congregation has decided that several PSWR ministries will receive yearly allocations from the income of funds that will remain invested with Christian Church Foundation. Also invested with CCF, the FCCW Lyles Fund will continue to support Christian Education with yearly allocations to Disciples Seminary Foundation.
This will be an official “sunset” for the congregation, and several nearby churches will benefit as FCCW members join them in worship. Nearby Hillcrest Congregational Church (UCC) will likely see that largest group joining them for worship.
The congregation is grateful for the assistance of the PSWR Board and Staff who will be stewards of the property after the year's end while CCH is in negotiations with the City of Whittier.
Between now and December 31st, the congregation would welcome any and all visitors; whether you’ve never seen the sanctuary before or are one of the many friends and family who have been part of their fellowship over the years. Here are some of the upcoming special dates, in addition to the regular 10:45 Sunday Worship Services.
In addition to regular weekly worship, we will have these special events:
Heritage/Reunion Sunday: Worship and Luncheon
Sunday, November 10 | 10:45 AM-2:00 PM
Friends of the Organ Concert: 5 organists play their favorite pieces
Friday, November 15th | 7:00 PM
Community Thanksgiving Interfaith Choir Concert
Sunday, November 17 | 5:00 PM
Combined Paul Delgado Singers/Chorale bel Canto Concert
Friday, November 22 | 6:00 PM
Chorale bel Canto Christmas Concert
Saturday, December 7 | 4:00 PM
Special Christmas Music Worship Service
Sunday, December 22 | 10:45 AM
Christmas Eve Service
Tuesday, December 24 | 4:00 PM and 11:00 PM
Final Regular Sunday Worship Service
Sunday, December 29 | 10:45 AM
"Penultimate Resonant Sounds" – A tribute to past musicians
Sunday, December 29 | 4:00 PM
A Ceremony of Grateful Conclusion, Release, and Leave-Taking
Tuesday, December 31 | 4:00 PM
Come shed a tear with us, celebrate with us, remember with us, and most importantly BE in worship with us!