Richlands in Tazewell County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

First Christian Church

Disciples of Christ

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 17, 2023

1. First Christian Church Marker

Inscription.
“No creed but Christ”
Established 1908
has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 37° 5.669′ N, 81° 47.95′ W. Marker is in Richlands, Virginia, in Tazewell County. Marker is at the intersection of 2nd Street and Norfolk Street, on the left when traveling west on 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1502 2nd St, Richlands VA 24641, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dr. Williams' Operating Room (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); N&W Railroad Section Foreman's House (about 400 feet away); Becky's Jewel Box (about 500 feet away); Site of the First Bank in Richlands (about 500 feet away); T. Shea Cook Family Home (about 700 feet away); Dixie Hotel Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Richlands (approx. 1½ miles away); Railroad & Resort (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richlands.

Regarding First Christian Church.

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Excerpt from the National Register nomination for the Richlands Historic District, of which the church is a contributing structure:

The oldest church building within the historic district is the First Christian Church … at 1502 Second Street. Built in 1908 this two-story, brick building is in the cruciform plan with a pyramidal-roof corner entry tower. The building has tripartite Gothic arch windows with stained glass.

Excerpt from the church's website:

First Christian Church in Richlands is the oldest standing church in Richlands; being called together in 1897, establishing our church building in 1908, and has a long history of welcoming all people. We were founded under many adverse conditions, being a historic church in the center of town when there were only a handful of saloons, a house of “ill-repute,” and a booming coal mine. Of the many stories of our history, a favorite is that an early leader of our church reportedly closed up a wasp hive using a corn cob, threw it into the aforementioned house, and then preached to the crowd that was running from the building on the dangers of lust!

Also see . . . Richlands Historic District (PDF). National Register nomination for the district, which includes First Christian Church and was listed in 2007. (National Archives)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 18, 2023

2. First Christian Church Marker

(Submitted on July 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

First Christian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 18, 2023

3. First Christian Church

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.