Faith Chapel Christian Center

Faith Chapel Christian Center (FCCC) is a non-denominational,christian, megachurch located in Birmingham, AL. The congregation, though largely African American, also consists of a variety of individuals from various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. The church has two campuses: their dome campus in which the main services are held, and their older campus in which youth services are held and various administrative offices and resources are located.

One of the largest churches in Birmingham, FCCC has large, first class facilities and is a gem in the community. One goal of the church is to become "a tool of economic evangelism", meeting the needs of individuals not just by "having them come to church", but by giving back to the community and taking care of individuals in their other areas of need.

Leadership

Dr. Michael D. Moore is the pastor of Faith Chapel. As the executive Director, Dr. Moore heads up a committee of various FCCC Administrators. This team consists of full time employees that manage different departments and ministries within FCCC.

History

Beginnings

Faith Chapel started in April, 1981 in Dr. Moore's home in the Wylam community of Birmingham, Alabama. The church began with four people: Dr. Moore, his wife, his mother, and a friend. The church grew and in six months moved out to Stallworth Funeral home in June 1981. After another year, the church moved to the YWCA in downtown Birmingham.

On February 1, 1982, FCCC sealed the bids for the sale of a 3.4 acre, convert|7645|sqft|m2|sing=on McDonald Chapel School and were given the right to purchase the property. On July 10, 1983, with less than 30 people, they purchased the land. Between 1990 and 1995, several staff members were hired full time. The Student Ministry, formerly Lively Stones Teen Church, was also established in 1990. In 1993, the Helps Ministry and the Evangelism Ministry were formed. In the same year, the main sanctuary was renovated, the children’s facility was completed, and the parking lot was paved. The first television broadcast aired in 1994, and in 1996 FCCC paid off $495,000 in about eight months to become debt free.cite web
title = FCCC History
url = http://faithchapel.net/templates/cusfaithchapel/details.asp?id=25116&PID=111328
accessdate = 2007-12-23]

The Word Dome

On April 29, 1999, FCCC purchased 37.6 acres of land for $237,000. This was the beginning of the multi-million dollar "Word Dome" building project. On December 19, 1999, Faith Chapel broke ground on the new Dome facility. Construction was completed and use of the facility began on December 15, 2002. Of the $15 million cost, over 98% of the funds came from the within the church via it's members. Faith Chapel never had to take out a loan to finance construction of the facility and it was completed entirely debt free, that is, without making use of debt financing.

The building is a concrete, monolithic dome. At convert|72|ft|m tall, and convert|280|ft|m in diameter it is the largest diameter monolithic dome in the world.cite web
title = FCCC Monolithic Dome Facts
url = http://www.monolithic.com/gallery/churches/faith_chapel-paint/index.html
accessdate = 2007-12-23] It's large size makes possible a floor area of convert|74500|sqft|m2 in two levels.cite web
title = Architectural Dome Facts
url = http://www.faithchapel.net/templates/cusfaithchapel/details.asp?id=25116&PID=125891
accessdate = 2007-12-23] Designed by Lathan Associates Architects, P.C., it was constructed by Gary C. Wyatt General Contractor, LLC., out of Birmingham, AL.cite web
title = Architectural Info
url = http://www.rnlarch.com/portfolio/faithchapel.htm
accessdate = 2007-12-23]

Present Day

Today, Faith Chapel has a membership of over 6400 memberscite web
title = Amazon.com: Rich is NOT a bad word: Dr. Michael D. Moore: Books
url = http://www.amazon.com/Rich-NOT-Word-Michael-Moore/dp/B000W9DJJ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208875517&sr=1-1
accessdate = 2008-04-22] and is embarking on another multi-million dollar project, their Family Activity Center.

The mission of this center is to provide a safe place for youth and adults to socialize. This $16.5 million project cite web
title = Concrete Update
url = http://southcentral.construction.com/features/archive/2006/0610_cover.asp
accessdate = 2008-04-21] is a six dome addition to FCCC's already vast property. The Groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 12, 2005. Of the six interconnected domes, two will measure convert|160|ft|m in diameter and four will measure convert|140|ft|m in diameter. The domes will house many amenities, including a 12 lane bowling alley, A teen dance club, a Christian adult smoke-free and alcohol-free nightclub with Christian entertainers, an Indoor playground for children, A fitness center complete with strength training equipment, indoor track, and basketball courts, a Banquet Facility, and a Lobby area with a centrally located climbing wall.cite web
title = Family Activity Center Groundbreaking
url = http://monolithic.com/gallery/churches/faith_chapel-ground/
accessdate = 2007-12-23]

External links

* [http://www.faithchapel.net Faith Chapel Christian Center]
* [http://www.mikemoreministries.org Mike Moore Ministries]
* [http://www.rnlarch.com/portfolio/index.htm Portfolio - Lathan Associates Architects, P.C.]

Notes

* [http://www.faithchapel.net Faith Chapel Christian Center Homepage]
* [http://www.monolithic.com Monolithic Dome Institute]
* [http://www.rnlarch.com/ Lathan Associates Architects, P.C.]

References