Church celebrates 50 years

Community Christian Church will celebrate its 50th anniversary this weekend.
Community Christian Church will celebrate its 50th anniversary this weekend.

Bringing along their small children, dozens of couples from First Christian Church committed to start a mission on the south side of Jefferson City.

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Locker Lites are displayed as part of a back-to-school display at a Wal-Mart store in Rogers. The decorative item was invented by 12-year-old Blair Breazeale.

"An opportunity like that doesn't come along very often," said Lois Ruth, one of the charter members of Community Christian Church.

The Ellis Boulevard church will celebrate 50 Years of Faith and Fellowship today and Sunday.

An open house with dessert reception will be open 1:30-4 p.m. today, with a program at 2:30 p.m. And a worship celebration will be at 9:30 a.m. Sunday followed by a fellowship.

For Ruth and her husband, John, as well as fellow charter member Mary Lou Clack, the church's mission statement, based on Matthew 28:16-20, continues to hold true: "Go into the world and open the circle of God's love unto all people."

Stepping out in faith to build a church from scratch was inspirational and an exciting adventure, Clack said.

"We each had to take on a lot more responsibility; there were fewer of us to do everything," she said.

When First Christian voted in 1961 to provide a church on the city's growing edge at the time, the idea had been mulled for nearly 20 years. By 1962, the five-acre plot with a view of the state Capitol was purchased and in March 1964 Community Christian Church was commissioned with 75 members.

Their first worship service was Easter morning at the Disciples of Christ denominational headquarters, with 163 in attendance and Ruth playing piano.

Ruth continues to sing in the choir today.

From the beginning, the new church had a strong music program, she said.

They began sharing that musical ministry at 409 Ellis Blvd. after the building's dedication in September 1967.

To fulfill its mission of outreach, the members prided themselves on being a friendly place.

"We accept anyone who comes in the door, regardless of their background," Clack said.

More than that, Community Christian members are deeply caring, Clack and the Ruths agreed.

"They're my extended family," Clack said.

When members faced troubles, a soup or casserole would be waiting on their doorstep, Ruth said.

"They're the most caring group of people I have ever been around," she continued. "(The church has) been an anchor for our moral compass and a great place to raise our children."

Serving these last five decades within the church, the Ruths are pleased to see the next generation of church leaders stepping into new roles. They also appreciate the work that has gone into the 50th anniversary celebration.

"It's a chance to look back at what we've accomplished and to look to the future," she said.

Community Christian and its individual members have served the community through local agencies like River City Habitat for Humanity and The Salvation Army.

They've also frequently sent mission teams across the nation and around the world.

"It makes you proud to be a part of that," Ruth said.

Clack said pausing to celebrate the anniversary will bring joy and revitalize the congregation.

"I look forward to seeing people I have not seen in awhile," Clack said.

Even 50 years later, Community Christian Church and its "parent" church First Christian still join together in some projects and events, particularly Vacation Bible School, which they hold also with Second Christian Church.

"This has been a great place to worship and have our faith grow," Ruth said.

Link:

www.opencirclejc.com