First Christian Church

First Christian Church

A.K.A. Christian Church

Unless otherwise noted, information was taken from the booklet “First Christian Church, Salem, Oregon The Centennial Story 1855-1955” published by the church and a copy of which is available at the Willamette Heritage Center Library (WHC 1993.003.0004). 

This congregation dates its history back to 1855 to the organization by John Rigdon and Alex McCarty and services held in the old (first) Marion County Court House, the Old Masonic Hall and the Little Central School.  In 1867 they erected their first building, a brick structure located at High and Center Streets.  Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps dated to 1895 (prior to the razing of the building in the early 1900s) show the church located on the SE corner of High and Center Streets.  Growth of the church by 1906 meant a new facility was needed and the old brick church was torn down and a new wooden structure replaced it on the same site — some of the old bricks being used in the new church building which was completed in 1907.  The new wooden church building was designed by architect Barton Riggs, a member and minister (not then serving) at the church.

A fire on April 18, 1945 sped up plans for a new church building.  The old building was sold (but used until a new building could be constructed).  The cornerstone of the new brick building at 685 Marion St NE was laid April 5, 1951 and the first service was held June 10th of that year.