OUR STORY
Celebrating over 90 Years of God’s Faithfulness
Our Roots
First Evangelical Church (most people call us "First Evan") got our start in 1935, when around one hundred believers stepped out in faith together. Many in the founding group followed Dr. Albert C. Dudley from First Presbyterian Church in downtown Memphis. Their departure grew out of questions about denominational control, Dr. Dudley’s commitment to interdenominational Bible conferences, and his close relationship with Lewis Sperry Chafer, founder of Dallas Theological Seminary.
The congregation was first known as Evangelical Community Church, and in 1936, we officially took the name First Evangelical Church. By 1939, we had moved into our very first permanent home on Union Avenue. Although independent, First Evan retained important aspects of its Presbyterian heritage, including leadership by elders and an ordered form of church government.
When our congregation took the name First Evangelical Church in 1936, “evangelical” was not a denominational label. It reflected the gospel-centered, Bible-teaching identity of the new congregation and its early commitments to evangelism, missions, and partnership with believers across denominational lines. First Evan is an independent church and is not affiliated with a denomination.
Early Influences and a Season of Transition
Dr. Chafer was a trusted friend and adviser to Dr. Dudley and an important influence during First Evan’s earliest years, alongside respected teachers like H.A. Ironside and other participants in the Bible conferences. These early relationships are an important part of our formation. Today, no single theologian, seminary, or theological tradition defines First Evan. Our church family includes believers from a range of theological backgrounds, and we value the breadth of perspective they bring. Our unity is grounded in the essential biblical convictions expressed in our Statement of Faith and affirmed by our members.
After Dr. Dudley’s unexpected death, finding a successor posed a unique historical challenge. The church extended a call to J. Vernon McGee, a young Tennessean whose education at Dallas Seminary had been encouraged and supported by Dr. Dudley and others connected with the congregation. According to First Evan’s historical account, McGee withdrew his acceptance following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States’ entrance into World War II.
In 1942, First Evan called Dr. T. Stanley Soltau, a veteran missionary to Korea whose family roots traced back to the missionary movement associated with Hudson Taylor. Dr. Soltau’s years overseas, including seasons of persecution and political unrest, gave him a deep commitment to both careful Bible teaching and global missions. That combination has continued to shape our church for generations.
Global Partnerships from the Beginning
Missions has been part of First Evan since our founding. During the church’s earliest years, Lizzie Greer became First Evan’s first missionary, serving in South Asia in partnership with a national Christian woman. She was followed by missionaries such as H. V. and Mildred Lemley in Mexico and Bob and Dottie Hoppe in Colombia.
Our global vision was further strengthened under Dr. Soltau and continued through his daughter, Dr. Eleanor Soltau. In 1965, Eleanor partnered with Australian missionary nurse Aileen Coleman to establish Annoor Sanatorium in Jordan, bringing medical care and the hope of the gospel to Bedouin communities.
These missionaries represent only part of a much larger legacy. From our earliest years, First Evan has understood missions as a shared work carried out alongside national believers through long-term relationships across cultures.
Growth and the Memphis Revival
For almost forty years, our church family worshiped together at 2693 Union Avenue Extended. In the early 1970s, a powerful spiritual awakening spread through Memphis, and members of First Evan played an active role in that movement. During this season of growth, we eventually outgrew the Union Avenue facilities.
To make room for continued ministry, First Evan purchased property farther east on a former golf course and constructed the first phase of our current campus at 735 Ridge Lake Boulevard. The move gave us more space to worship, teach, and serve others.
Faithful Leadership Through New Seasons
Later pastors have carried our biblical and missionary legacy into new seasons. Earle Stevens helped guide the congregation through an important period of growth and was followed by Jay Letey. Dr. Duane Litfin strengthened the church’s teaching ministry before later serving as president of Wheaton College.
Ronnie Stevens, after years of pastoral and missionary service overseas, emphasized global missions and expository preaching. When Ronnie and his wife, Jane, returned to the mission field, Howard Clark was called to the pastorate. Cole Huffman then led the church for fourteen years with a rich teaching ministry. Following an interim season, Pace McKee became First Evan’s ninth senior pastor in 2024.
A Legacy of Faith
As we look back over more than ninety years, we are grateful for God’s faithfulness through the generations, including our many friendships and partnerships in Memphis and around the world. We remain committed to our legacy and mission: to glorify Jesus Christ and magnify His gospel in all of life until He comes again.
OUR LOGO
In 2025, First Evan updated our logo to more fully reflect the breadth of our history and commemorate our 90th anniversary. This video introduced the new design to our congregation. Click here to download a postcard describing the symbolism.