CHICO — The First Christian Church of Chico has been doing a lot of good in the community for a long time.
The church was established in 1883 under the leadership of evangelist J.B. McCorcle. The church staff have been helping the homeless and contributing to the community for many years.
There were 21 FCC charter members originally. In 1952 the congregation bought 12 lots on East Washington and Laburnum Avenues for $16,000 and the church moved there, where it currently resides. In 1967 women were first elected as elders. Women started a food cupboard at the church to be available to families in need, budgeted home mission funds to help families in need in the community, started Christian faith and growth groups and a prayer chain, according to the booklet “Alleluia: The Bell Still Tolls.”
Galen Lee Rose was pastor until 1923 when he resigned to go to seminary. He was followed by W.L. Mellinger. Mellinger reactivated the Ladies Aid Society, known now as the Social Circle.
Jesse Kearns joined FCC in December 2007 as pastor. He served as the associate regional minister for the Christian Church, or Disciples of Christ, in Virginia for nine years before settling into his current position as pastor of FCC. Before coming to Chico Kearns had six years experience as a pastor.
“By the time I was in high school I was introduced to a program called Work for Christ,” Kearns said. “That’s when I began my youth journey.”
Kearns said FCC welcomes free speech and independent thought. He said the church is progressive and welcomes everyone.
“As a whole we are involved in ministries many people would classify as progressive,” Kearns said. “We are a a part of Safe Space Winter Shelter and we provide ministry to the the homeless.”
Kearns said the church is anti-racist and partners with Stonewall Alliance.
“We are open to the LGBTQ community who serve in leadership at our church,” Kearns said. “We were one of the first churches in town to put our foot down and make a stand during civil rights.”
The church holds Bible studies, a music jam group, game days and a night called Faith in Films where church members watch a movie and discuss it. Groups such as a depression and bipolar support group, Alcoholics Anonymous and Al Anon meet at FCC.
The church is part of the Interfaith Council.
“We have Jewish people, Muslims and people from the Chico Creek Dharma Center. We have different faiths coming together,” Kearns said. “Our goal is to meet the ministry needs of the community. We have enjoyed stability over the past 10 years or so.”
Nancy Morgans-Ferguson is a member of FCC and also serves as a church elder.
“I believe we are called to help our neighbors with food and clothing and health concerns,” Morgans-Ferguson said. “This church actually does that.”
Morgans-Ferguson runs and helped found the Shalom Free Clinic, which is connected to the church. The clinic provides free medical care to people who don’t have insurance or are underinsured. The clinic provides sleeping bag, diaper and food pantries.
“We meet the needs of the people staying at Safe Space,” Morgans-Ferguson said. “It’s a warm and lovely and open church. Everyone is welcome, no questions asked. I bring homeless folks to the church.”
Morgans-Ferguson admires Kearns.
“He’s an open and kind man and a good leader,” she said. “He lives his life as an example of good Christian living.”
The church gives money to the clinic every year to provide insulin because the clinic staff see a lot of diabetics. Morgans-Ferguson said Kearns runs church camps for children. She has taken her seven year old granddaughter to them.
Joe Rogers is also a church elder and has been a member for several years.
“I like that Jesse has a sense of humor,” Rogers said. “And he refuses to politicize the pulpit. He has almost no ego.”
Rogers learned about FCC when he was taking a magic, witchcraft and religion class at Butte College. His instructor assigned a paper and asked the students to attend a religious service outside of their own religion.
“One of the folks I interviewed was Pastor Jesse,” Rogers said. “Jesse said his congregation is open and affirming.”
Rogers started attending FCC and moved into various roles in the church. Rogers works as an outreach worker for the homeless.
“Christians are devoted to social justice,” Rogers said. “One of the things we are committed to is making sure every space is devoted to ministry.”
FCC holds its Sunday service at 10 a.m. The church is located at 295 East Washington Ave. The church’s phone number is 530-343-3727, fax 530-809-4786, email chicodisciples@gmail.com. The church website can be found at https://www.fccchico.com.
