First Christian Church

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Orange can trace its roots date back to 1883 – before Orange was even a city. Originally located on the Plaza, the church moved to the corner of Chapman and Grand in 1887. When the City of Orange sought to build a new City Hall at Chapman and Grand, First Christian moved again to its current location on Walnut Avenue in 1960. The church, which was then on the “outskirts of town with nothing beyond that besides orange groves” officially opened in 1961. Chapman University’s roots as Hesperian College, founded in 1861 by the Disciples of Christ, and the college’s benefactor, Charles C. Chapman, a supporter of the Disciples of Christ, bind it closely to First Christian Church.

Orange, Orange County
Photographer: Andrew Schmidt