CELEBRATION

Central Church of Christ will celebrate its 100th anniversary in a weeks-long celebration known as the Central Century. Its initial anniversary event Sunday will include 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. services led by Billy Smith, dean of the School of Biblical Studies at Freed Hardeman University, and Truman Smith, an area song leader. A free catered banquet will be at noon (reservations, 266-3619) and cake cutting at 1 p.m. An afternoon service will be at 2, when centennial coordinator Johnny Owens Jr. will read excepts from the congregational history.

Additional services:

* Oct. 11: 9:30 and 11 a.m. services led by Chuck Kilpatrick, UTC Christian Student Center minister 1990-2001; 6 p.m. service led by David Schonhoff, present pulpit minister.

* Oct. 18: 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. services led by Houston Bynum, pulpit minister 1984-1994; 6 p.m. service led by former Hamilton County Sheriff John Cupp, pulpit minister in 1981.

* Oct. 25: 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. services led by John Tracy, pulpit minister 1979-1981; 6 p.m. service led by Eddie Reachard, pulpit minister 1983-1984.

Four books are being published in conjunction with the church's centennial: "Central Church of Christ: From a Cent to a Century, A Narrative History 1909-2009," by Johnny Owens Jr.; "A Century of Kitchen sCents," a cookbook with contributed recipes; "Central's Story: A Century, Step by Step," by John T. Smithson III, minister at St. Elmo Church of Christ (and son of former Central minister John T. Smithson Jr.); and "Moccasin Tracks: The Story of the Christian Student Center at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga" by Mr. Smithson III.

FAST FACTS

Location: 400 Vine St.

Membership: 200-plus.

Pulpit minister: David Schonhoff.

Outreach: Helped form three local congregations, replant an inner-city fellowship and formed first congregation with services in Spanish in the area; has supported missions in more than a dozen states, one U.S. territory and 14 countries; and has ministered to the underprivileged and elderly in the area.

TIMELINE

1909 -- Congregation planted by the now defunct Cowart Street Church of Christ as mission to the downtown area, with the first service held in the Masonic temple at Seventh and Cherry streets.

1910 -- First full-time preacher, G.C. Brewer, who goes on to head the denomination's then-largest congregation, Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas, hired; under his leadership, the church becomes the first in the denomination to use individual cups for Holy Communion.

Late 1910s -- Congregation meets in building now known as the Newell Annex at Seventh and Walnut streets and in the Knights of Columbus Hall on Walnut Street under the leadership of E.H. Hoover, who goes on to become the church's longest-tenured preacher to date.

1924 -- Congregation builds and occupies building at present location of Vine and Lindsay streets, an edifice designed to seat 650 people and then valued at $35,000.

Early 1950s -- Under the leadership of John T. Smithson, Jr., auditorium is renovated and given its current Ionic style.

1956 -- Central plants Rivermont (now Manchester Park) congregation.

1957 -- Education building which doubles physical size of the church is erected.

1960 -- J. Marvin Powell comes to lead congregation; under his leadership, annual Thanksgiving services and Training for Christian Service series begins.

1966 -- Jim Mankin arrives to head congregation; during his active tenure, the Christian Student Center at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is started, he serves as chaplain of Civitan International, and planning is begun for the Martin-Boyd Christian Home; he goes on to head the denomination's then largest congregation, Madison Church of Christ near Nashville.

1983 -- Congregation assumes full leadership of Christian Student Center at UTC.

1994 -- Present minister, David Schonhoff, comes to lead congregation.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

In conjunction with the 100th anniversary, the church has closed in the courtyard area between its auditorium and fellowship for offices, expanded its fellowship hall by a third by relocating the offices and made the building more accessible by adding an elevator.

QUOTABLE

"As a congregation, we feel very happy and very humbled by the fact the little mission church planted downtown 100 years ago has already been used in so many ways by God, and is entering its second century full of love for Jesus, for each other, and for those around us. Our enthusiasm for doing good for others may be part of the reason the Lord has blessed us so richly, but in any case, we will continue to endeavor to accomplish his will in everything."

-- Johnny Owens Jr., centennial coordinator