East Second Street Christian Church
is a part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This fellowship has its origins in the American frontier of the early 19th Century. Since its beginning,
the Disciples of Christ have endeavored to increase respect, understanding and unity among the believers of Christ.
Congregations accept new members through confession of faith and baptism or by transfer of membership from other denominations. Worship styles
vary widely, but all have a strong emphasis on the Lord’s Supper; thus, we have chosen a chalice as our symbol. The chalice bears the X-shaped cross of
St. Andrew, identifying our founders’ Scottish Presbyterian origins and our emphasis on lay ministry.
As Disciples, we strive to remain obedient to the teachings of Jesus and scripture by practicing a faith, which is socially relevant and intellectually sound.
Members are bound together in fellowship and service by belief in the central confession of the New Testament:
“Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
On other matters, the church recognizes the right to exercise freedom of opinion. The principle is a sustaining force in the life of the
church. We hold that there should be “in essentials unity, in opinion liberty; and in all things, LOVE.”
is a part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This fellowship has its origins in the American frontier of the early 19th Century. Since its beginning,
the Disciples of Christ have endeavored to increase respect, understanding and unity among the believers of Christ.
Congregations accept new members through confession of faith and baptism or by transfer of membership from other denominations. Worship styles
vary widely, but all have a strong emphasis on the Lord’s Supper; thus, we have chosen a chalice as our symbol. The chalice bears the X-shaped cross of
St. Andrew, identifying our founders’ Scottish Presbyterian origins and our emphasis on lay ministry.
As Disciples, we strive to remain obedient to the teachings of Jesus and scripture by practicing a faith, which is socially relevant and intellectually sound.
Members are bound together in fellowship and service by belief in the central confession of the New Testament:
“Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
On other matters, the church recognizes the right to exercise freedom of opinion. The principle is a sustaining force in the life of the
church. We hold that there should be “in essentials unity, in opinion liberty; and in all things, LOVE.”
Church History
The East Second Street Christian Church was organized by Thomas Phillips. The first worship service was held in April of 1851 in an old carriage factory,
purchased by Brother Phillips, with the help of his former master, John Brand. Thirty-five male members were recorded on the church roll. Brother Phillips
served the congregation faithfully until his death around 1859.
In 1874, the old carriage factory was torn down and a church building was erected in its place. This building stands today on West Fourth Street, between
Limestone and Upper, with the inscription “…the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.”
During the period 1874–1880, the congregation continued to grow to over three hundred members. On August 10, 1880, the present worship center on
Constitution Street was purchased for $5,000. The building was partially destroyed by fire in November 1880, and was unoccupied for more than 20 years.
In 1915 many members left the congregation and founded the Prall Street Christian Church, which is now the Prall Street Church of Christ.
In 1952 the Rev. O.B. Garner became the shepherd of the flock and served 37 years as pastor. The congregation entered a new era in the 90’s under the
leadership of Rev. Raymond L. Brown, broadening the scope of community involvement and ecumenical relationships.
The building was again partially destroyed by fire in November 1996. The congregation held worship services for more that a year at the Lexington
Theological Seminary. Many churches made their buildings available for the congregation's use during this time.
The congregation returned to a newly renovated building in March of 1998 under the interim pastorate of Rev. Dr. William Edwards. Rev. Dr. Ozark Range,
Sr., Interim Pastor 1998-1999, assisted in preparing the congregation for spiritual growth under new leadership. As the congregation enters the new
millennium, with the installation of its 20th Pastor, Rev. Dr. Donald K. Gillett, II, it continues to serve the community of Lexington, with the assurance that
God never fails, and will provide for every need
The East Second Street Christian Church was organized by Thomas Phillips. The first worship service was held in April of 1851 in an old carriage factory,
purchased by Brother Phillips, with the help of his former master, John Brand. Thirty-five male members were recorded on the church roll. Brother Phillips
served the congregation faithfully until his death around 1859.
In 1874, the old carriage factory was torn down and a church building was erected in its place. This building stands today on West Fourth Street, between
Limestone and Upper, with the inscription “…the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.”
During the period 1874–1880, the congregation continued to grow to over three hundred members. On August 10, 1880, the present worship center on
Constitution Street was purchased for $5,000. The building was partially destroyed by fire in November 1880, and was unoccupied for more than 20 years.
In 1915 many members left the congregation and founded the Prall Street Christian Church, which is now the Prall Street Church of Christ.
In 1952 the Rev. O.B. Garner became the shepherd of the flock and served 37 years as pastor. The congregation entered a new era in the 90’s under the
leadership of Rev. Raymond L. Brown, broadening the scope of community involvement and ecumenical relationships.
The building was again partially destroyed by fire in November 1996. The congregation held worship services for more that a year at the Lexington
Theological Seminary. Many churches made their buildings available for the congregation's use during this time.
The congregation returned to a newly renovated building in March of 1998 under the interim pastorate of Rev. Dr. William Edwards. Rev. Dr. Ozark Range,
Sr., Interim Pastor 1998-1999, assisted in preparing the congregation for spiritual growth under new leadership. As the congregation enters the new
millennium, with the installation of its 20th Pastor, Rev. Dr. Donald K. Gillett, II, it continues to serve the community of Lexington, with the assurance that
God never fails, and will provide for every need
Also find us at
146 Constitution St.
Lexington, KY 40507
Phone: 859-254-0675
www.eastsecondstreetcc.org
Lexington, KY 40507
Phone: 859-254-0675
www.eastsecondstreetcc.org