Southeast Christian Church: The facts

What originally began as a small collection of some fifty people, has since grown into one of the largest churches in North America. This article will follow some essential facts behind the Southeast Christian Church.

Origins

Purpose

The Southeast Christian Church can now proudly boast some 20,000 members. The essential purpose of this establishment is to spread the living word of the Lord ' to help ignite Christians and churches all over the world'.
1st July 1962 53 members of South Louisville Christian Church establish Southeast Christian Church. The Church buys 2601 Hikes Lane, where services are consequently held in the basement.
12th June 1966 Bob Russell preaches his first message at Southeast. 22nd January 1967
Phase I of Building Program and a 550-seat Sanctuary are proposed. August 1968 Total membership approaches 300. Expansion Phases II, III and IV of building are finalised, concluding the educational space, nursery facilities, and an all-purpose structure.
October 1975
A further service is added to the Sunday morning schedule.
Easter 1976 The audience surpasses 1,000 for the first time.

Transitional period

March 1983 Further property in Hikes Lane is acquired.
November 1983 A donation of around $1,533,088 is agreed for the purpose of introducing a fresh building programme. 12th April 1987
The parishioners march to the new premises for a short service called “Crosswalk.” Twenty charter members ceremonially bolt the entrances of the old building. Easter 1990 The audience surpasses 10,000 for the first time. 1999 Average weekend audiences increases to 13,000. March 1999
The Easter Pageant sees an incredible 35,000 of people attending the church.
The past ten years: 2000-present March 2000 The Easter Pageant develops into two weeks of performances, and witnesses an audience of 70,000.
21st May 2000
Southeastchristian.org website is launched.
January 2001 Southeast Christian Community Counselling Centre opens.
02nd to 03rd February 2002
Weekend worship achieves a record of 22,053 attendees, mainly due to the interviews with past Afghanistan detainees Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer.
11th to 14th July 2002
Southeast rejoices in its 40th year of existence. 10th to 11th April 2004
Southeast breaks another weekend service turnout record, with 29,424 over the four services.
25th June 2006 After 40 years of service to Southeast, Bob Russell addresses his final audience as senior minister, as he begins retirement.