Denton, TX is a music town.
In addition to having two universities known for their music programs—the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University—its restaurants and bars also host frequent performances.
But when First Christian Church of Denton decided to start a music school, it didn’t have the funds to keep its operations running while developing its new initiative.
With our help, it is nurturing the love of music among young and old while reestablishing its presence in the neighborhood.
One of Denton’s oldest churches
First Christian Church (FCC) has been around for about as long as the city that it calls home. Founded in 1868—11 years after Denton was established—its congregants initially gathered in the local Masonic Temple with Christians from different denominations. As other faith communities began to move out and build their own facilities, FCC did the same, erecting a frame structure in 1876. Almost three decades later, it constructed a brick building at Hickory and Piner Streets, the first of three structures at that location. The current site on Fulton Street was purchased in 1956, and the building was completed in three years. Designed by O’Neil Ford, an influential mid-century architect, its form of construction and symbolism are considered unique. The ridges and valleys of the roof are meant to mimic hands folded in prayer, while the ten columns supporting it represent hands lifted in prayer.
In 1998, much needed restrooms, classrooms, a gathering area, library, prayer chapel, a music suite, an office suite, and a parking lot were added to the church. The congregation raised the funds to pay for these additions, paying off the new construction debts in 2001 with a note burning taking place the following year. FCC was flourishing.
Facing a crossroads
But a decade and a half later, the faith community’s sustainability became a concern.
Not only had several active members died, but FCC’s relationships with residents and organizations nearby were few. After learning that many neighbors had experienced painful exits from their own places of worship, as well as exclusion and judgement, FCC created the EnVision Community, which seeks to reject the Church’s negative stereotypes. Since 2018, this project has helped transform FCC into an inclusive and affirming community that sponsors special worship, events, and outreach groups that proclaim God’s limitless love, such as PRIDE, movie nights, and discussion groups. While it attracted younger participants, their financial contributions could not match those of older generations, and the congregation began to struggle and needed a new minister.
In March 2021, Rev. Kristin Galle was called to serve as Senior Minister and help her new flock pivot. What she found was a small congregation. While the sanctuary’s capacity is approximately 330 attendees, the average worship attendance was only 40 people.
“One of the things that the search committee had identified is that I had worked with many churches as an intentional interim minister,” she recalls. “They said, ‘Everything’s changing right now and we’re ready for change.’”
Ever since, the FCC community has been experimenting with new ideas.
Encouraging creativity, confidence, and community
One of these ideas came from their Music Minister Susan Ogilvy, who is not only a composer, but has more than 40 years of experience working with music schools. She suggested that they open a music school to generate additional income. After all, the church had Sunday school classrooms and other rooms in its music wing that were only used certain days of the week by what FCC calls its wellness groups—mutual aid addiction recovery groups including Alcoholics Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous, and others. So, Rev. Galle, her staff, and members of this small but active congregation took the next two years to repurpose these spaces and invite teachers to join their team. In January 2025, they founded Imagine Music Academy (IMA) to provide innovative music education, foster talent, and serve Denton in a faith-based love of all people.
Rev. Galle sees the IMA as an outreach ministry as well.
“It will allow people from the community to recognize that this is a safe and open space,” she explains, “and invite them to be involved in worship and other programs at the church.”
Today, students as well as teachers take piano, drum, woodwinds and brass, guitar, orchestra, and vocal lessons from the Academy’s instructors. The IMA also hosts Music Together, which is designed to spark creativity, rhythm, and musical curiosity in young children through movement, songs, and fun. The faith community has allotted ten rooms for the Academy—currently, six rooms are being used.
In addition, IMA partners with the Denton Philharmonic Orchestra by offering space for its musicians to rehearse and hold concerts. In return, the orchestra provides strings, woodwinds and percussion teachers. Through this collaboration, they have co-hosted community events, such as the Spooky Symphonic Scavenger Hunt in October, where FCC decorated classrooms and the Denton Philharmonic gave a concert from the sanctuary.
“One of the stops was at the conductor’s stand where he would let kids conduct. We had one person dressed up as a pirate, so the orchestra played the theme song from Pirates of the Caribbean,” Rev. Galle laughs, “and another was a Jedi, so they played the Imperial March from Star Wars. Everyone had a great time!”
Finding a duet partner
With the Academy in its infancy, FCC needed to find a way to augment its cash flow until enrollment increased and it could break even. After coming to us last summer for a consultation, Building and Capital Services Advisor Rev. Rosario Ibarra presented various funding possibilities to leadership, including loans and a capital fundraising campaign. In the end, we approved a line of credit loan so that the church no longer had to run a deficit.
With Denton being a rapidly growing city within the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, Rev. Galle and her colleagues are confident that enrollment and interest will increase.
Honoring the past, inspiring the future
As for what lies ahead, FCC’s senior minister envisions the music wing, and the sanctuary, being used to its fullest capacity.
“I would love to see more people asking what spirituality and worship looks like to them,” she concludes. “Personally, I’m asking myself, ‘what other programs can this church engage with that will be relevant to their lives and the life of this neighborhood so that Disciples can continue to have an important voice here?’”
For more than 150 years, FCC has ministered to the needy, preached the Gospel, and helped Denton thrive. But as its surrounding community changed, it struggled to respond to their needs until it recognized what made their hearts sing.
By working in harmony with Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF), this church is re-building its community and strengthening its foundation—one note at a time.
Is your place of worship looking to fund its next project? DCEF can help. Contact your Building and Capital Services Advisor to find financing that works for you.