The congregation decided to hold a dedication service in January of 1862.  By 1862 the Civil War was in full motion and there was much discussion, at the Disciples of Christ Convention in Cincinnati, about separating the Christian Churches in the North from the Christian Churches in the South.  Elder Benjamin Franklin, a leader in the movement and supporter of the Church in Andersontown, was much against separation.  His name was considered by the First Christian Church board as speaker for the Dedication, but after realizing how contentious the meetings had been in Andersontown, he withdrew his name and suggested his brother David, who also declined.  Elder John Rogers was recommended and accepted, giving the dedication sermon on Sunday January 12, 1862.

The congregation survived without a permanent Senior Pastor for a few months, until Elder Joseph Franklin, Benjamin’s son, was called as Pastor.  In that time between, Elder Benjamin Franklin held a 6 week Revival and the congregation grew to 65 members. When the building was about 10 years old it went through some renovations with carpeting and new seats. 

By 1860 the question of instrumental, and specifically “organ” music, in the church service came up time and time again.  There was much dissention, not only in the local church, but nationally as well.  Eventually, in 1879 an organ was installed for use in Sunday School only, while the basic question was somewhat ignored.   After a controversial George Slade Revival, centering around the question of instrumental music, the problem seemed to be resolved in the local church and in 1880 organ music was a regular part of Sunday Worship.  Five years later a choir loft was built.

They were large enough to purchase land for a new building.  In 1886 a lot on the northwest corner of 10^th and Jackson streets, known as “the Davis property” was purchased for $5000.00.  The congregation, which now numbered around 500, saw that the architectural plans would call for more space than was available on the Davis property, and so purchased adjacent land to the north and west. 

A ground-breaking ceremony was held in 1889.  In that year the Board of the Church resolved to change the name from FIRST CHRISTIAN to CENTRAL CHRISTIAN…because another congregation in Anderson, known as the NEW LIGHT CHURCH had adopted the name FIRST CHRISTIAN and to avoid confusion or difficulties, Central decided to change their name with the new building.

The present sanctuary was dedicated in December of 1900, with a packed sanctuary and 400 standing around the back.   It begin with Sunday School at 9:15am and Worship Service at 10:30am.  The organ led the congregation in a first hymn, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”.  Only 2 days later, the church building on 13^th and Main was sold.

With a membership of 463 in 1902 a Revival began in February and ended in March, bringing another 465 members in. 

A few years later, in 1905, what has been called the “greatest revival in the history of any single congregation of the Disciples” took place, beginning in December.  During the 52 days of this revival, led by renowned evangelist, Charles Reign Scoville, Central Christian Church grew to over 2000 members; the largest Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) church in the world at that time.