The First Christian Church of Port Angeles, Washington

We are a small church with a big heart and have been here in the Port Angeles area since 1962. The church is located at the intersection of Park and Race streets and is at the gateway to the Olympic National Park. In this respect we're high profile, but we want to do more than just be a presence for Christ. We want to reach out to this troubled world with the compassion of God and begin to make a difference here in the Port Angeles area, and beyond. 

The setting for the church is pastoral as the church is bordered by a ravine that is heavily forested with both deciduous and evergreen trees. The deer often come up to graze in the yard, and there are varied birds of all colors, shapes, and sizes. Because of this pastoral setting we're often reminded of God's creation, and our responsibility to care for this world we've been given. 

We exist within a larger body of believers called the Disciples of Christ. The Church, as a whole, has a three-tiered structure beginning with the congregation, which then exists within the Northern Lights Region, and it all is umbrellaed by the General Church with its headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is not a strictly hierarchical structure in that the separate components of the church voluntarily interact with one another. In other words, the congregation doesn't answer to the Region or the General Church, but more so we work together to accomplish a collective ministry for Jesus Christ our Lord. 

The identity of the Church can be described as we are a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord's Table as God has welcomed us. Therefore, communion is central to our theology, and we receive the elements of communion, the bread and fruit of the vine, every Sunday. 

The vision of the Church can be summed up in this manner: To be a faithful, growing church, that demonstrates true community, deep Christian spirituality, and a passion for justice. 

The mission statement for the entire Church is: We are here to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps "to the ends of the earth."

If you'd like to explore further you'll find the General Church's website at https://disciples.org