Our History
As one of the oldest churches in Branson, we are thankful for the 25 people who first came together in 1923 to organize a Church Sunday School.
On June 24, 1924 the church was officially organized. In 1925 the Christian Women's Fellowship purchased a lot on the corner of Commercial and College streets for $290. Two adjoining lots were given to the church by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Parnell. Construction began in the spring of 1926 and the first service in the new building was on Sunday, August 29, 1926. The original building was one story, with the main entrance on Commercial Street.
In 1952 plans were drawn up for a new sanctuary, office, nursery, kitchen, classrooms, and choir room for an estimated cost of $45,000. With a second story sanctuary, the original basement church became the Fellowship Hall. The new building was dedicated on June 2, 1957. A building north of the church was purchased and became the annex.
In 1973 the Founders Chapel and the Albert Parnell Memorial Window were dedicated. The chapel is located next to the sanctuary. The large stained-glass window was given by the Parnell family in memory of Albert Parnell, Sr.
In the 1990's the Parnell and Kornmeier families donated the beautiful windows in the sanctuary in memory of Patricia Parnell Kornmeier.
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Many members of Branson Christian Church were active leaders in Branson as it grew. Ozark Mountain Christian Church was our sister church in Merriam Woods. (Sadly, they have closed their doors and rejoined the Branson Christian Church.) In July of 2007, the church established the By the Way Thrift Shop in the annex building. The Thrift Shop has become an important ministry for our church. It is run by volunteers who address some of the physical and spiritual needs of our community.
In June 2024, members past and present, gathered to celebrate100 years of ministry extending the love of Jesus through worship, community, learning and service that continues today.
The stunning new stained-glass window, titled "Come Follow Me," was created and installed by dedicated members of the church in September 2020. This beautiful piece adds a vibrant touch to our worship space, serving as a reminder of our faith. We invite you to come and appreciate the artistry and devotion that went into this special project. Experience the light and color it brings to our church
