As is the case of writings claiming to be “history,” there are usually several interpretations of events, and often some disagreement. Hopefully, what follows is a fairly accurate accounting of the life of one little Central Kentucky congregation, Victory Christian Church.
      Victory Christian Church has its roots in what many would call the second generation of the Stone-Campbell Movement (often referred to as the Restoration Movement) which began on the frontier of early 19th century America. Shortly after its beginning – about 1802 – congregations all over the frontier, mostly Presbyterians and Baptists, along with some newly formed congregations – began to spring up throughout all of the American Frontier. Early on, after the agreement of Stone and Campbell, all of those people calling themselves Christians and those calling themselves Disciples remained in fairly close communion with one another. Although doctrinal, socio-economic, political and all of the other sundry worldly powers that always assail God’s people, were fodder for great disagreement and eventually dis-fellowship. The movement, 100 years after its beginning at Cane Ridge Kentucky, was the largest protestant denomination by the 1890’s, would eventually splinter into three smaller denominations: The Churches of Christ, The Christian Churches (Independent) and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).As the movement solidified itself in Lexington with the agreement of Stone’s Christians and Campbell’s Disciples, it is understandable that Central Kentucky, in many ways was the womb for so many congregations. It is also understandable that Central Kentucky was central to many of the early churches debates and disagreements.
      The first real division in the movement came over whether or not musical instruments (particularly the organ) should be allowed a place in corporate worship. From 1890-1920 many congregations of the brotherhood dis-fellowshipped over this issue. Those that left came to be known as the “A Capella” churches while those that remained were referred to as “Organ” Churches. Those that originally left are now Churches of Christ. They are still A Capella.
      One of those early influential congregations was Broadway Christian Church. Broadway is still a thriving and large congregation in downtown Lexington. In 1890 it was at the epicenter of this “organ” controversy. Its pastor during this period was the well-known and influential J.W. McGarvey. McGarvey is one of the preeminent 2nd generation Restorationists. He served for a time as both pastor of Broadway and President of the College of the Bible (now Lexington Theological Seminary.) Garvey’s understanding of scripture caused him to reject the idea of anything other than a capella singing in church. A problem arose when his congregation decided he, not instrumental music, was wrong. The folks of Broadway voted to purchase and install a grand pipe organ. McGarvey told them that if that were the case his conscience dictated that he must serve elsewhere. The foundations of Victory Christian were born, albeit in controversy.
      In 1892, McGarvey, along with a few hundred other souls left the womb of Broadway and formed the Chestnut Street Christian Church in Lexington, as you might imagine on Chestnut Street. (The building now is home to Greater Liberty Baptist Church) A generation of folks worshipped there, on, what was then, the eastern edge of Lexington. In the mid 1920s the congregation voted to move. Two congregations were born from this move.
      Castlewood Christian was part of the Chestnut Street dissolution. Nearly one third of Chestnut Street’s congregation purchased land and built an edifice on Castlewood Parkway in Lexington. This congregation closed its doors for the last time in 2005.
      The larger portion of Chestnut Street’s congregation purchased Victory’s property at 148 Victory Ave, which runs perpendicular to Richmond Rd. in downtown Lexington. Victory Avenue was named in honor of the Victory in WWI. Victory Avenue is part of Lexington’s first “subdivision” Kenwick, which began to arise in about 1919 shortly after the war. The purchase was complete in 1926.
      Although the fledgling congregation had property and a plan, they had no building. For two years they met and worshipped in the basement of the Ashland Elementary School. Then, in 1928, they built what is now the church’s fellowship hall. It was a single story room about 1600 sq feet, complete with kitchen, two bathrooms and a large hall for fellowship and worship. While they worshipped they dreamed even bigger dreams.
      Plans were drawn up, complete with architects’ renderings, for a sanctuary that would seat about 600. These drawings are still present in the church’s archives. The economic disaster of 1929 caused these plans to go the way so many plans eventually do. They vanished into the mists of time. However, the congregation adapted and forged ahead. A more modest structure was envisioned. Eventually (1938) it was built and still serves as the sanctuary to this day. In years to come both the sanctuary (front) portion, and the fellowship hall (rear) would receive additions, so that by 1950 the building that exists today was finished.
      Perhaps the greatest benefit of connecting to one’s history is that it can serve to propel one into the future. Sometimes we draw upon lessons so that we do not repeat past mistakes, other times we gain insight from our predecessors’ abilities. In all histories there is contained the wonderful good news, “gospel” if you will, that we ever move into the future; sometimes because of the past, sometimes, in spite of it. So it is with the people of Victory Christian Church.
      We stand here today, nearly 100 hundred years later, on the same corner. We stand on the shoulders of those noble and foibled, but faithful people who, all those years ago, felt called by God to minister to a needy and broken world from this corner. We still hear that still small voice, and still seek to do God’s will as best we can. It is a wonderful story. It is a story that is still being written, but a story that is always looking for, and reaching out, to new writers. God willing, someone will take up the task of this history 20, 50, even 100 years from now. It would be interesting to know what they will say about us.

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