Our Story

Who started it all?

Five families began meeting together for Bible study in 1983.

What were they thinking?

These families saw the need for a biblically strong church located in the fast-growing area of west St. Louis County. As they steadily increased in number, this young church chose to affiliate with Evangelical Free Church of America.

When and where did First Free open its doors?

In 1983 the first official worship service of First Evangelical Free Church was held in rented church facilities in Des Peres. A year later, the church called Michael P. Andrus as its first Senior Pastor and Mike served until 2004 when he accepted a call to Wichita, KS. In these early years, the church moved two more times to accommodate growth, ultimately arriving at its current address in 1992. Since then, building expansion has included a new children’s area and the addition of a worship center seating nearly 2000.

How does the next chapter read?

William (Bill) Jones joined First Free as Senior Pastor in 2005 and our church continues to build on the mission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:  making, maturing and multiplying fully-committed followers of Jesus Christ in our community and beyond.