AboutUs - Downey Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

A Brief History ...

This church was established in 1875 as The First Christian Church in Irvington. The first recorded religious service was on September 19, 1875 held on the Butler College campus then located in Irvington. The actual organization of the church took place on December 5, 1875 with eighty-seven charter members. Preaching, prayer, evangelism and mission were the four cornerstones upon which this church was founded. Recognizing the need for a permanent house of worship, the official board passed a resolution in 1881 to accomplish this goal. “The red brick church with a spire” was erected on a lot at Downey and Julian Avenues and dedicated on April 9, 1893. Since then it has been called the Downey Avenue Christian Church.

The United Christian Missionary Society moved from St. Louis into the building at 222 South Downey Avenue and became known as “The Missions Building.” Many of the leaders of the UCMS made their homes in Irvington and were members of Downey Avenue. The leadership they provided, and the witness of returning missionaries enriched the congregation. From that time, outreach efforts both locally and throughout the world have been, and will continue to be, priorities for this church.

By the end of World War II the congregation determined a new structure was required to fulfill its mission. They said “goodbye” to the Red Brick Church in 1952 and a new structure of Indiana limestone, erected on the same lot, was dedicated on November 1, 1953. In 1976, the beginning of a second century of service, Downey built a new educational building which houses the church offices, classrooms and a fellowship wing called Century Hall. A significant addition to the Sanctuary was the installation of stained glass windows which survived the fire of December 16, 2005. These windows were designed by Joseph Lupkin under the direction of a committee of Downey members; glass work was done by City Glass of Fort Wayne. The three windows on the east represent major events in the Old Testament and the four on the west represent major events in the life of Jesus.

Whatever the future brings, the mission of this church continues to be witness to God’s glory and spread the Good News of Jesus through preaching, prayer, evangelism and mission.

Acknowledgement: The early history of this church may be found in much more detail in the book “A Century of Witness” by George Earl Owen.

Please Join Us Each Sunday:

9:00 AM -- Sunday School

10:15 AM -- Worship Service

11:30 AM -- Fellowship Time

Word from Sue...

On All Saints Day. I shared my dream for Downey Avenue Christian Church in my sermon. I want to share that dream with everyone.

When I remember the saints of God who have been part of the life of Downey Avenue Christian Church, I think of the commitment of so many of our folks to the things that Jesus said were Real of God concerns: poverty, hunger, sorrow and persecution. We have always had More Than Enough to support the mission of the church.

Within the DACC pantheon of saints who have gone before us, we remember saints who served God all over the world and DACC saints who served the General Church here in the US. There are DACC saints who served God through their commitment to relieving poverty, hunger, sorrow, and persecution right here in our own community. The list goes on and on and on.

Downey Avenue, you have a history of and a heart for mission. The saints of this church have lived out their mission commitment in days gone by. The saints of this church dreamed of the time when the Realm of God would be on earth as it is in heaven. This heart and history for mission, this heritage of mission is in the DNA of DACC.

I would like to let you know about my dream for the church right now in the next year or so. I think we are ready to add another person to our staff, probably on half-time basis to begin, who would become our Minister of Mission and Education. I think we have enough happening in the realm of mission that warrants our calling someone responsible for coordinating and advancing our mission and education commitments.

I see a Minister of Mission and Education guiding us into many more opportunities for mission in the community and the world. I see our children and youth programs expanding in such a way that we would have an intentional plan for the way we introduce and promote mission with them. For example, our youngest might begin with helping in our Food Pantry. Middle Schoolers could take mission trips to locations nearby. For High Schoolers, wouldn't it be wonderful if one every four years we took them on an international mission trip? Our adults would benefit too as we broaden the kinds of work trips we love to do together.

We know, friends, that DACC has a history of and a heart for mission. It's something that others ought to know about us too. I believe that committing further to the heritage that we have come to expect from ourselves would be enhanced with new staff for the church. I see all kinds of exciting possibilities for us.

Please remember this dream of mine as you prayerfully consider your giving to DACC for 2011. And thank you for always giving More Than Enough!

Blessings, Sue