Our Story

What makes us different?

The First Church of God, Chilhowie is a non-denominational congregation affiliated with the Church of God (Anderson, IN).
This movement within the broader Christian Community repeatedly affirms the message of unity and holiness demonstrated by living a moral and spiritual life. We adhere to the biblical concept of the church, which is that every believer is a part of the body of Christ. There are no written creeds that define out beliefs but we search the scriptures in worship and in classes to discover the truths of the gospel.
The Bible interpretation method employed by the Church of God is A-millennial, which holds that the Kingdom of God is now and promises made to Israel are fulfilled in the church today. We do not limit our study to one translation but our Pastor generally uses the English Standard Version.

If you have visited this site searching for a church home, we'd like you to know that there's a special place here at FCOG Chilhowie just for you!

How it all started...

The First Church of God in Chilhowie began in 1953 when a tent revival sparked a vision in Rev. Graham Chapman and his wife, Sarah. With the support of several families, the congregation purchased a church building on Main Street, and on September 5, 1954, the first service was held with fifty-five in attendance.

Over the years, dedicated pastors and faithful members guided the church through seasons of growth, relocation, and new facilities. Land was purchased on West Lee Highway, and in 1969 the congregation moved into a new building. Following yet another season of growth and faithfulness, the congregation outgrew yet another facility and would need to relocate once again. A prayerful “dream” in March of 2000 inspired the construction of what would become our current facility.  In 2009, after much prayer and planning, the church celebrated the completion of its current facility.

Through every season, God has remained faithful. From the early prayer meetings in homes to the joy of paying off the church mortgage in February 2023, the First Church of God continues to proclaim the message of Christ, serve the community, and carry forward the vision that began more than seventy years ago.


Expanding the vision...

Expanding the Vision reflects our commitment to equipping
the saints and strengthening the Body of Christ
 in accordance with Ephesians 4:12–16.
Our desire is to see believers grow in spiritual maturity and unity
as they serve faithfully in God’s Kingdom. We also seek to reach the
lost with the saving message of Jesus Christ and to disciple 
them through the truth and wisdom of God’s Word.
Through this vision, we strive to see lives transformed 
and the Church continually built up for God’s glory.

Where we are headed...

Our church is devoted to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and advancing
His Kingdom in our community and beyond. We are committed to developing
mature and effective disciples who live out their faith with conviction and purpose.
By seeking to influence the culture around us through obedience to God’s Word,
we strive to reflect His truth and love in all we do. With a vision for a future of
global mission, we endeavor to equip and send faithful men and women to share
the message of Christ throughout the world.

Be a part of our story...

Join us every Sunday as we gather to worship together a 9:30 am and 10:30 am.