Kirksville isn’t an especially large town in Missouri, but it’s the home of Truman State University and a major Kraft Heinz manufacturing plant that produces Oscar Mayer products, including all of the company’s packaged bologna products sold worldwide.
It’s also the home of a dedicated Disciples faith community that dates back 181 years, one that was struggling to care for its aging place of worship.
With our funding support, First Christian Church (FCC)’s facility is no longer holding its members back from meaningful ministry.
As pastor Rev. Tim Polley says, “There’s bologna in Kirksville, but there’s no bologna in the ministry of the church.”
Rooted in history
FCC was established in 1845 and 16 years later, its leadership purchased the current site, where a frame structure was erected. This was later replaced by a brick building that was remodeled multiple times. In 1954, the current education building was constructed and today, it houses the fellowship hall, offices, and classrooms. As for the sanctuary—which features a bell tower and skylight—it was dedicated in 1971.
Serving the community, exploring relationships with God
When Pastor Tim joined FCC in December 2023, the facility was in dire need of some TLC. The roof on the sanctuary needed to be replaced and the HVAC system, which had been installed the same year that the sanctuary was dedicated, was so out-of-date that replacement parts were no longer being manufactured for it. While it had been purchased to heat and cool the entire place of worship, any other spaces beyond the fellowship hall and conference room needed help from window air conditioning units.
“Nobody is going to want to sit in a sanctuary if they’re either freezing or sweltering to death,” states Pastor Tim.
That was true for not only worshipers, but for Kirksville residents as well. Gospel groups and the local community choir would hold special events—including musical performances—in the sanctuary, so it was vital that the space was comfortable.
Finding a partner in ministry
Pastor Tim (L) and Jim Michel (R)
While Pastor Tim and his staff went ahead with soliciting estimates for the roof replacement, they knew that other major upgrades to their place of worship were needed—and that they needed a partner to help guide them through it. Before Christmas of 2023, Regional Minister and President for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Mid-America Rev. Dr. Paul Koch referred FCC’s pastor to us for support.
In 2024, Building and Capital Services Advisor Jim Michel visited Kirksville and conducted an Initial Consultation, which is the first step in the building planning process. His assessment confirmed that FCC’s current HVAC system was insufficiently managing the entire facility’s temperature. At the time, FCC was consulting with mechanical engineers and HVAC professionals to get a scope of the work and an idea of costs for a new system. Due to the unique construction of the church, a standard HVAC system could not be purchased and would have to be designed by an architect—a project that would cost $400,000. The assessment recommended that if the community of faith didn’t have the funds on hand to purchase a new one for the sanctuary, to work with us on a loan and a capital campaign. It also found that the restroom—located in the sanctuary—was not handicapped-accessible and there were serious safety issues across the church, especially when it came to the sanctuary doors. While FCC decided to run the capital fundraising campaign on their own for the roof replacement and restroom and door upgrades, our team initially provided suggestions and closely followed the congregation’s work as it rolled out.
“We’ve had some wonderful saints that have been 110% behind this project and they’ve come up with some out-of-the-box thinking,” recalls Pastor Tim. “For example, we raised a couple thousand dollars shaving off a member’s beard that he’d had for years. We’ve had auctions too, where we’ve auctioned off items that people brought in, as well as things that the church had not used in years, but were still in great shape. I also have a continuing auction where I seek out donations, and we auction those off, and the proceeds go to the capital campaign as well.”
FCC ended up working with us on a green loan—which supports congregations, camps, regions, and seminaries in making their places of worship more environmentally friendly—to finance their HVAC system replacement.
“I’ve known about Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) for years and when it came time to seek out loans, we wanted to go with somebody who knew us, somebody that helped other Disciples congregations,” shares Pastor Tim. “I guess you could say that we wanted ‘somebody in the family to work with.’ Jim has been very good to us. He’s been patient and understanding.”
This family connection would go deeper than FCC’s pastor could imagine. When Michel’s youngest son and his friend chose to enroll at Truman State University, he passed the news on to Pastor Tim, who then shared it with the congregation. The people of FCC have taken the boys in, showering them with gift cards, goodie baskets, and trips to get pizza.
“I’ve given my time, expertise, friendship, and last-born son,” laughs Michel.
In March 2025, DCEF began the loan process. Meanwhile, FCC got busy—it started looking for an architect to design the HVAC system and then taking bids for the project. In October of that year, it finished having its roof replaced and remodeling the restroom so that it was ADA-compliant. It also improved the security of its sanctuary’s doors.
In August 2026, installation of the HVAC system started, moving worship services to the fellowship hall.
“In the fellowship hall, people have to sit next to each other instead of choosing their own pews and we’re much nearer to the music,” explains Pastor Tim. “It’s just felt more intimate. Folks have gotten closer. I think it has given the congregation a deeper understanding of the mission.”
On November 4 of this year, the HVAC system replacement was completed and on Sunday, November 8, the congregation began gathering for worship in the sanctuary again.
“For a facility our size, a $400,000 project can seem very scary, but so many people have been committed to it,” concludes Pastor Tim. “In partnering with Jim and the folks from DCEF, we worked out a great relationship as well as a great place to borrow the remaining funds to get the project completed.”
As the people of FCC come together once more in their newly renovated sanctuary, surrounded by members of their church family—they can now count us as part of that family, too.
Does your faith community have a story to share about its partnership with DCEF? Let us know in the comments!