In frontier America, many settlers hoped for a new approach to religion that would free them from European church structures, which didn't meet America's needs. Frontier people lived by their own ingenuity. They wanted practical, down-to-earth religion to help them cope with and understand a hard life. As individuals, they felt they could read and interpret the Bible for themselves and build faith on reason. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was born out of this search.

1804: Presbyterian minister Barton W. Stone and several followers broke their denominational ties to enter into unity with "the body of Christ at large". They called themselves, simply, "Christians". The Cane Ridge log meeting house, erected near Paris, Kentucky in 1791, became the first congregation of the Christian Church under Stone's leadership.

1811: A group led by Presbyterian minister Thomas Campbell and his son, Alexander, began meeting independently in western Pennsylvania, saying the church of Jesus Christ was one, open to all.

1820: Alexander Campbell began public debates which, along with his writing, propelled him into leadership of the "Disciples of Christ".

1832: Followers of Stone and Campbell united in Lexington, Kentucky. The "Christians" and the "Disciples of Christ" joined together with a formal handshake. They agreed on basic beliefs and aims.

Today, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is one of the largest churches founded on American soil, with more than 1.2 million members in 4,400 congregations across the U.S. and Canada.

 

 

 

 

In keeping with the historical practice of the early Christian era, communion is celebrated every Sunday and on special occasions. The Lord's Supper is the heart of our worship and is administered by the diaconate. All Christians, of any denomination, are welcome to participate.

 

 

"This is my body, which is for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."

I Corinthians 11:24

 

There are two ways of becoming a member of the Christian Church. One is by confession of faith, followed by baptism. The other is by transfer of membership from another church, either by statement (saying that you belong to the church elsewhere) or by church letter. An invitation is extended at every worship service of the church, during which time those wishing to unite with the church come forward and accept the minister's hand in Christian fellowship and commitment. As a church, we do not baptize infants, but we do observe a Dedication service for children and parents.