By Nila Harris
As Falmouth Christian Church celebrates its 150 years anniversary, many parishioners are looking back at its origins. A 1982 letter written by Mrs. Ella Galloway M. Simpson, long-time church member, tells a lot of FCC’s history.
“This is the building, built in 1873; the people are the real church. As a child I came from my home at 6 Main Street to the Falmouth Christian Church to Sunday School and Church. At that time a walkway on the east side and a driveway on the west side, where a horse and buggy could travel to the back lot, was all the space occupied. As one entered the vestibule, which was the same as today (1982), one could see the cable, by which the bell was rung, behind the right-side door of the double door, which has been rebuilt. The bell was not as loud as other church bells in town, but it could always be heard as it called us to worship. It was rung for all Sunday and mid-week services. Sometime in 1945 or 1946, during the Glenn ministry, the chimes were installed in the belfry and the bell has not been rung since that time. However, I am told that the bell is still in the belfry.
"Let me give you a glimpse of the church as it was in the early days. As you look around one wonders at the beauty of the lovely stained-glass windows, which have always been a source of beauty as the light shines through. I shall say more about them later. The comfortable sold oak seats with carved arm rests are outstanding. The beautiful chandelier, with its multiple lights, hung in the center of a large motif (18 or 20 feet in diameter) in the center of the ceiling. This greatly enhanced the beauty of the sanctuary and gave a soft glowing light.
"Approaching the front, one comes to the Communion Table, the center of worship in the center of the church. At that time the table was a lovely marble-top table given to the church by Mrs. Amanda Chiles, one of the charter members. She was also Mrs. Nell Woolery’s grandmother. Mrs. Woolery is a member of our church today (1982). When the church bought a new table, they gave Mrs. Woolery the table and Mrs. Woolery gave the church a donation.
"Viewing the pulpit, the floor was elevated two steps higher that the regular floor. The floor of the pulpit was pushed to the left side to gain entrance to the baptistery which was located under the pulpit. One entered the pool from the right side of the pulpit. Back of the pulpit was a bay window with a stained-glass window on either side and plain glass in the center. So much for the way it was until 1941 and 1942.
"During Bro. Chamber’s ministry, the first addition was added. At that time the floor of the choir was raised to the level of the pulpit and individual chairs were fastened to the floor. A brass rod surrounded the choir on which a deep rose/maroon curtain was hung.
"We had a lovely vocalion which made beautiful music and was placed in front of the choir. This new addition included a new baptistry (the one we now have), the choir room, the minister’s study with press room, the hall, the room now known as the nursery (though at that time was occupied by the men’s Sunday School Class), three classrooms upstairs with folding doors which could be turned into one large room where we had our social affairs of the church.
"Other additions included a kitchenette (so we could serve refreshments), a stairway, classroom, and a restroom downstairs.
"A door was placed back of the choir to match the baptistery door. At this time, the bay window had been removed from the back of the pulpit and with an insert of about six inches. A plain wall was installed in its place.
"In the upper center of the wall, a wooden cross was placed and in the lower part a door on each side for entrance into the new addition.
"A dedication service was held August 2, 1942; then in 1956 the church took on an altogether different look. The communion table was again moved to the center of worship – this time to the center of the pulpit. The floor to the right side of the pulpit was raised to the level of the pulpit and a banister built around it. The minister was to speak from this side of the pulpit.
"The choir loft was raised about six inches above the level of the pulpit and a banister built around it to match the other side of the church. The stationary seats of the choir were replaced with seats like the new seats in the auditorium. A new pipe organ (Wicks Co., Highland, IL., two manual and peddle, three rank practice organ) was installed and placed back of the minister’s stand. The scenery was also changed to the center of the front wall and open work used to allow the sounds of the pipes of the organ to be heard. Plush draperies were hung between the doors back of the pulpit. The seats and organ had a light finish and the woodwork around the room was also given a light finish. The church surely took on a new look at this time.
"A re-dedication service was held September 2, 1956. In 1960 and 1961 another addition was completed and dedicated, which included eight classrooms on the ground floor. Now in 1982 one of these is used for our library and one for the Sunday School superintendent’s office and supplies.
"Downstairs, additions were three classrooms, fellowship hall, kitchen, and storerooms. These were built during Rev. Robert Lynn’s ministry, and payment was finished during Bro. John Gardner’s ministry.
'I would like to tell you some things about our beautiful windows as I see them. They are so beautiful and so wonderfully made. If one is thinking, he or she will see in the upper section of seven of them the original cross, an open Bible, sheaves of grain, an open gate – all of these are symbols to remind us of the Christ, the way of living, the harvest and finally the gates of Heaven, which we all hope to enter when through with this life. The lower sections have memorials to three different people – two were ministers who preached in the early life of the church: Rev. H.B. Taylor (August 29, 1828 - January 21, 1892) and Rev. Christopher C. Cockerill (1813-1900) The other memorial was to a layman, Thomas J. Oldham (September 12, 1802 - December 26, 1880) who lived in Falmouth and contributed greatly to the building of the church home. I am told that though times were not too good he would not give up until the building was finished and he is surely deserving of this memorial. May we catch a glimpse of his spirit of faithfulness, hope and devotion to the Christ and may we carry on with such courage and devotion.
"This is where we link the past with the present. I did not know Mr. Oldham. He died in 1880, but I knew at least three of his children – Mrs. Perrin, Mr. Jesse Oldham and Mr. Tandy Oldham, their children and grandchildren who grew up in and around Falmouth and attended this Christian Church. In fact, it was his great-grandchild, Perrin Rule who gave the Perrin home (which he had inherited) to the Falmouth Christian Church in 1978, and date of sale April 28, 1979.
"There have been other interesting facts concerning the Falmouth Christian Church. Most of these have happened since the 1973 History of the Church was published. The church celebrated its 100th birthday in 1973 with a special every month by a visiting former minister or visiting musicians as recorded in the history edited at that time. Bro. McLean was the minister from April 5, 1970, to March 1974. Since that time our ministers have been Rev. C. Ed Roberts (August 18, 1974 – May 18, 1980), Rev. Coates of Lexington was the interim minister, Rev. Greg Russell came on August 28, 1980, to the present time.
"Two parcels of property have added greatly to the beauty and use of the premises. The additions of the Applegate property November 11, 1963, and the Daisy Childers property on July 1, 1971 have increased the historical interest for our congregation.
"The parsonage on Maple Avenue was sold and the Dr. W.A. and Mrs. Elizabeth McKenny residence (305 Broad Street) was bought for our parsonage on October 7, 1974. The home was redecorated and equipped with storm windows and other improvements were made.
"The church bought the 1982 Chevrolet Van in 1981. The first trip to Sunday School and Church was October 25, 1981. Then on Friday, October 30th a group from the church went to see Daisy Childers and others in the Louisville Christian Church Home.”
And now we arrive at June 2023, and the church is still in the process of restoration and revitalization. Today's focus is on the church bell. Falmouth Christian Church is in the process of restoring the bell. If you would like to have more information about the bell or are interested in donating towards its restoration, please contact the church office at 859-654-2741 or minister Rick Halcomb at 859-279-6430; email: rghalcolmb@falmouthchristian.com.