First Christian Church

Jan Watts

Minister of Music

Jan Watts was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama and has been a member of First Christian Church all her life. She is a fifth generation family member in the Disciples of Christ denomination. Jan has been first the choir director and then the Minister of Music at First Christian since 1995.

Jan received both her Bachelor and Master of Music Education from the University of Montevallo where she majored in voice and minored in piano. She has also been involved in numerous theatrical productions, both as a performer and a director. She has been a soloist in a number of churches in and around the Birmingham area, as well as a choir director. Jan has taught both private voice and piano lessons since 1969. She enjoys working with children; she carried an Alabama teacher’s certificate and taught music for pre-school through elementary school in a private Birmingham school for a number of years. She is now only involved in ministry.

Jan received her Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School and is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Jan originated both the Bell Choir and the Instrumental Ensemble at First Christian Church. 

Jan and her husband, Bill, who operates the sound system for First Christian, have four children; Chip, Cristi, Michael, and David. They also have three beautiful grandchildren; William, Logan, and Sierra. 

Jan enjoys all forms of music and encourages a blend of traditional and contemporary music in worship. Her hobbies include reading, ceramics, making porcelain dolls, and theatre.