History Of The First Christian Church Structure

Ground was broken in August 1871, for the building which was erected for the Universalist Society of Dixon. That structure took two years to complete and dedication ceremonies occurred in August 1873. During the summer of 1906, the basement area of the structure was dug and the window area enlarged.

The First Christian Church Congregation had been meeting in a building on West First Street and purchased the Universalist building and took possession Thursday, June 16, 1921.

The first church service was held in the basement the following Sunday. A fire had previously destroyed most of the former Universalist structure in November of 1917, which left the roof and auditorium being almost completely destroyed.

The Universalist congregation had previously effected some small part of the restoration of the building, but the bulk of this work had to be performed by the Christian Church after purchasing the property. Work was completed the following year and a dedication service was held on Sunday, June 18, 1922.

At the following Wednesday evening service, approximately 25 of the 48 new members received the rites of baptism. Two members of the group were Neil and Ronald Reagan. Ronald, a young boy only eleven years old at the time, would go on to become the 40th United States President.

Construction of the new education building began in May, 1958. The basic construction was completed during May-June of 1959. As funding became available, the finish work on the new addition was completed.