History of First Christian Church of Longwood The first organizational meeting was held at the home of Edward and Betty Wood on Friday, March 15, 1974. This group, then part of the membership of Northside Church of Christ in Maitland, desired to begin a congregation in the Longwood area. Subsequent meetings were held on Wednesday, May 15, 1974, for prayer and business at the Wood home at which time the designated congregation's name was elected to be "First Christian Church of Longwood:" and an organizational meeting held at the home of Charles Petersen on Friday, May 17, 1974, to draw up the congregation's Charter and By-Laws. May 19, 1974, the First Christian Church of Longwood held its first Sunday services at the Longwood Women's Club on Church Street in Longwood. Kenneth Planck brought the message for this first service. Attendance: 38 in Bible school, 40 in worship services, offering of $1,743.00, additions 34. Sunday, June 16, 1974, was a record attendance of 75. On November 17, 1974, the congregation called its first full-time minister, Jim and Brenda Dill, who began their ministry on December 8, 1974. Throughout these first 8 months of incorporation, property was being sought for a permanent location. On December 29, 1974, the congregation agreed to purchase the property at the corner of E.E. Williamson Road and Lake Myrtle Hills Road consisting of 2.7 acres +/-. The first anniversary, May 18, 1975, the congregation held a dinner/celebration on their own property with P.W. Hayes preaching the evening message. Seeking a more conducive meeting place, the congregation moved to the then Gramkow-Gaines Funeral Home building on Dog Track Road in Longwood on July 13, 1975. Since it had a chapel and classroom space, it was much better suited to the needs. Harold Boldon was called as a minister beginning June 13, 1975, and served the congregation with his wife, Pat, until his resignation in July of 1979. Ground breaking for the Church's building was held March 22, 1977. The congregation continued to meet at the Gramkow-Gaines Funeral Home until Wednesday, October 5, 1977, when the first prayer meeting was held in their newly constructed home. The building 3 was dedicated to the Lord's service on Sunday, November 20, 1977. Upon resignation of the Boldons, Darris and Miriam Hamilton began their ministry with the Longwood congregation on October 6, 1979, and served until their retirement in January of 1984. Dennis and Sharon Smith, who had been serving in the capacity of Assistant Minister for some time, followed the Hamiltons as minister on March 4, 1984. Following Dennis Smith resignation in January of 1986, Joe Johnson was called as interim minister and served nearly a year. Raymond and Eleanor Jackson arrived on December 7, 1986. Upon the Jacksons retirement in July of 1991, Buddy and Tonya Harris began their ministry. During the Harris' ministry the congregation has grown numerically and spiritually. The youth have two active groups: the New Horizons (younger children) and the CIA (Christians In Action - high school age). The drama ministry has become an integral area of service and has featured a "dinner theatre" presentation and Easter sunrise services. Women's group have met at various times throughout the life of the Church for prayer and Bible studies. In 1993 a women's ministry of service - Women of Witness (WOW) - was begun to encourage one another, the elderly, and the shut-ins. In 1984 an annual living nativity, complete with live animals, was begun drawing hundreds of views, with the numbers growing each year. During the early 1980's planning was begun on expanding the physical facilities for the congregation. Various plans have been considered, and a final plan was submitted for contractors' bids in the spring of 1994. An informal ground-breaking was held February 27, 1994, at the congregation's 20th "homecoming" anniversary/celebration. The First Christian Church of Longwood is very much "alive and growing" and serving the Lord. On July 20, 2003, we welcomed new pastor Don Swingle, Jr. and his wife Kathleen (who grew up in Orlando) and their son Zachary. Don has introduced a number of new programs, such as Kids Town and Share the Care among others, and we're looking to the future with optimism.