Since its establishment 1848 by Rev. Robert Graham, who later went on to found Arkansas College, First Christian Church of Fayetteville has been a congregation committed to serving its community. A fire destroyed the church in 1912, and the following year FCCF commissioned A.O. Clark to design its current building. Clark most notably designed public, commercial, and religious buildings throughout Benton County that remain important area landmarks. Built in the Gothic Revival style, the church’s brick structure features a sanctuary surrounded by stained-glass windows, and two turreted towers meant to symbolize love and charity to the surrounding city.

FCCF has a history of serving its community, removing barriers for women to receive an education by offering childcare to students attending the University of Arkansas. FCCF is a founding member of the nonprofit retirement community Butterfield Trail Village and The Community Gathering, a movement centered on learning and responding to the needs of its neighbors. The congregation is focused on outreach to community members who are food and housing insecure, often collaborating with neighborhood leaders and nonprofits to provide rental and food assistance. A member of the church founded Cooperative Emergency Outreach, a group of churches working together to provide food, rent, or utilities assistance to individuals facing financial emergencies.

A $250,000 National Fund grant with $250,000 in matching funds raised by the congregation will allow the church to address roof replacement, masonry, interior wall repairs, and stained-glass window protection.

Photo by Chris Michaels