Church made his major league debut for the Expos in August 2004,struggling in the 30 games he played in the last two months of the season. He ended the season with a .187 batting average.
After struggling in the first month of the 2005 season Church was considered a candidate for the Rookie of the Year Award,until he injured himself running into the outfield wall at PNC Park on June 22,2005. At the time of the incident,Church was batting .325 with a .544 slugging percentage. After the incident,Church made two trips to the disabled list and was unable to match his hitting performance from the first half of the season.
In 2006,Church was demoted to Triple-ANew Orleans after struggling early in the year. However,Church was sent back to the majors on July 23,and ended up hitting .276 with a career best 10 home runs and .892 OPS. His 10 home runs in just 196 at-bats in 2006 projects to around 30 home runs for an entire season.
In 2007,Church had career highs in games (144),at bats (470),runs (57),hits (128),doubles (43),home runs (15),and RBI (70). He finished the year batting .272,slugging .464 and a .813 OPS.
In spring training2008,Church was involved in a collision with first basemanMarlon Anderson that resulted in a Grade 2 concussion for Church. He recovered without any serious injuries. On May 20,2008,Church suffered a minor concussion while sliding into Atlanta Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar. It appeared as though when Church initially slid,his head made contact with Escobar's right knee. After Church struck his head,he slid about eight feet past second base with his forehead dragging on the dirt. Church made his return to the starting lineup on June 1,2008,against the Los Angeles Dodgers,collecting three hits including a home run and a double. However,he was placed on the disabled list with aftereffects of the concussion. On September 3,Church had his second career grand slam,off Dave Bush. On September 28,Church made the final out in Shea Stadium history in a 4–2 Mets loss.
In 2005,the Nationals suspended Jon Moeller,a volunteer chaplain,and issued an apology after Church,a devout Christian,revealed conversations he had with him about a Jewish former girlfriend. Church told the Washington Post that the chaplain nodded when he asked whether Jews were "doomed" because they "don't believe in Jesus." After Jewish community leaders complained,Church issued a statement saying,"I am not the type of person who would call into question the religious beliefs of others."[4]
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