WORSHIP THROUGH ART

“GOD HAS FILLED THEM WITH SKILL TO DO ALL KINDS OF WORK AS ENGRAVERS, DESIGNERS, EMBROIDERERS…”
– EXODUS 35:35

A Uniquely Artistic Congregation

Musicians, painters, potters, photographers, quilters, and other artists have called First Christian Church their spiritual home.

Opportunities abound to express faith, questions, doubts, prayerful petitions, and deep gratitude in visual media. For various seasons of the church calendar, the worship committee develops with various creative and thoughtful installations that tell the story of God’s action visually.

Vision

We are led to share the gifts of our different cultures, aspirations, and points of view through the arts. Art, like Faith is a fundamental part of our lives.

“Threads of Belonging” by Hoan Rahlan

The mural “Threads of Belonging” can be found on the back of the Education Building facing the church parking lot. Dedicated in August 2025, it celebrates our community of faith as a place of belonging and God’s love. The artist, FCC member Hoan Rahlan, moved from Vietnam to Charlotte with her family as a twelve-year-old child to escape the violence and danger of religious persecution. Now a talented young artist with children of her own, Hoan’s mural is a tribute to what God has done for her with the love and support of First Christian Church. The dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit. The irises, symbols of faith, hope, wisdom and courage. The butterflies, the resurrection of Christ. The magnolia blossoms, a nod to the magnolia tree that once stood on the site. And finally, the pink cords, held in the dove’s mouth, linking various parts of life together. At the bottom of the mural, a ribbon of Montagnard cloth reflecting Hoan’s heritage.

Sanctuary Cross

This beautiful freestanding sculpture of the cross was created and given to the church by artist Jim Henck. It is located at the back of the Sanctuary on the baptistery wall. When the baptistry light is on, the shadows do spectacular work, and one cross becomes three. Glorious!

The Jesus figure outline and the lamb on either side of the baptistery are of the current sermon series: Just Getting Started, Jesus and New Beginnings.

Freestanding cross sculpture in the sanctuary at First Christian Church of Charlotte (FCC Charlotte)

This stained glass window was created by Ralph and Lois Coburn in 2003 on their kitchen table. An original design, it bears the red chalice of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Other stained glass art by the Coburns grace their home church in Ohio, as well as the living rooms of family, friends and church members.

Chrismon Ministry

Chrismons are Christmas decorations featuring religious symbols of Christianity, derived from the words “Christ” and “monogram.” Over the years many FCC members have worked together to make the gorgeous Chrismons that fill our trees during the Advent and Christmas seasons. A dedicated group of members continues this tradition in memory of Frances Johnson who taught this art to many.