Sumner First Christian Church

432 Wood Ave, Sumner WA 98390
Phone: (253) 863-7858

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a congregation seeking to be faithful to our witness of Jesus as Christ and faithful in listening for the guidance and transformation of the Holy Spirit.

Our stated Purpose is to share God's love as a diverse community of individuals through:

1. Joyful Praise
2. Willing Commitment
3. Exploring and Learning
4. Active Service

Through our purposes and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we seek daily to live as an open and accepting community. If you are searching for a non-judgmental environment where you can explore and ask questions, we invite you to visit us.

Sumner was settled in 1853 by members of a wagon train which crossed the Cascade Mountains through Naches Pass. The town was built around a lumber mill run by the town's founder, George H. Ryan. The following year, a few Christians began meeting in Sumner homes for worship. Due to an Indian uprising in 1855, all the residents fled to Fort Steilacoom for safety.

In 1858, the First Christian Church in the Washington Territory was organized at one of the homes in Steilacoom with fifteen charter members. Members attended worship services in a school house near the Mountain View Cemetery. New converts were baptized in Gravelly Lake.

The members moved back to Sumner in 1863 and began meeting in a log school building near the corner of what is now Wood Avenue and East Main Street Twenty years later, in 1883, a church building was completed in the center of Sumner (on donated land corner of Alder Ave. and Maple St.). This was six years prior to statehood in 1889. With several additions and renovations, this building was used by the growing congregation for 76 Years.

The congregation purchased five lots at the corner of Wood Avenue and Silver Street for a new church facility in 1951. (This location was considered "out of town" at the time.) All the members helped in the building of an educational wing which was completed in 1959 at a total cost of $85,000. The mortgage was burned in 1961. The next step, taken in 1965, was the purchase of a three bedroom house adjacent to the church property for use as a parsonage.

In 1969, the present sanctuary was dedicated, 111 years after the congregation's founding. Total cost was $104,865. That mortgage was burned in 1981.

The First Christian Church of Sumner observed its 140th Anniversary in 1998. The contributions of pastors and countless lay persons have made this, the oldest chartered Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the State of Washington, a church rich in tradition. Its people continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, nurturing each other in Christian love, and challenging each member to give practical witness and service in the name of Christ. Our heritage of faith, dedication, and community service continue onward.

Like most Christian, Disciples Affirm: Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God, and offers saving grace to all. All persons are God’s children

• Open Communion: The Lord’s supper, or Communion, is celebrated in weekly worship. It is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
• Freedom on belief: Disciples are called together around one essential faith: belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Persons are free to follow their consciences guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit, study and prayer and are expected to extend that freedom to others.
• Baptism by immersion: In baptism the old self-centered life is set aside, and a new life of trust in God begins. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion, other baptism traditions are honored.
• Belief in the oneness of the church: All Christians are called to be one in Christ and to seek opportunities for common witness and service.
• The ministry of believers: Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship, service and spiritual growth.

Rochelle Richards is a native Texan—born and raised in the Gulf Coast town of Corpus Christi. Rochelle came to know Jesus as Lord at First Christian Church, Corpus Christi where she was an active member for many years. Rochelle’s participation in church youth programs is what introduced her to Texas Christian University (TCU). Rochelle attended TCU and graduated in 1994 with a B.A. in Religion-Studies and Music. She continued her studies on the TCU campus at Brite Divinity School graduating in 1998 with a Masters of Divinity. Rochelle was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in May of 1998. During Seminary and following her Ordination, Rochelle had the opportunity to serve several Disciples congregations (First Christian Church, Richardson; First Christian Church, Granbury; First Christian Church, Corpus Christi; Northway Christian Church; Dallas) gaining experience in children & youth ministries, pastoral care, administrative oversight, preaching and teaching

Rochelle began her ministry at First Christian Church in Sumner on September 1, 2005. Rochelle and her husband John have been married for five years, have a three-year-old daughter (Alexandra) and reside in Sumner. In their free time, the Richards enjoy exploring the outdoors, playing with the family dog (Cisco), calling family back in Texas and Georgia, and spending time together.