The HISTORY of
Colonial Christian ChurchH
Colonial Heights, VA.
The Colonial Christian Church began with a group of 32 individuals holding a prayer meeting on September 22, 1987 to determine if there was interest in starting a church in Colonial Heights. Interest being extremely high, we held our first worship as the Colonial Christian Fellowship on October 4, 1987, in the Colonial Heights Optimist Club Building.
The Fellowship voted to establish itself as the Colonial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on January 3, 1988. Our Constitution and By-Laws were written, church and Official Board members elected, and the church was commissioned on February 28, 1988 by Reverend Robert L. Bohannon. Sixty-eight members united with the church by letter of transfer and one (1) by Confession of Faith at the Commissioning Service.
At the May 1988 Regional Assembly in Lynchburg, a resolution was presented and passed to accept Colonial Christian Church into the brotherhood of Disciples of Christ. From 1988 until April 1991, the church family met at the Colonial Heights Optimist Club Building and were blessed with numerous great ministers and lay speakers. During the latter part of this time, Reverend James L. Clements and Reverend Edward H. Parrish alternated services. Reverend Susie Hillery was also a frequent guest minister. A music program was developed during these years.
A Site Committee was formed and ultimately located two (2) acres of land in Dunlop Farms which were then purchased. A Building Committee was then formed and they worked closely with William Henry Harris & Associates, Inc., architects, to design and build our church building. Fund-raising projects were ongoing. On September 22, 1990, the Groundbreaking Ceremony was held. We held our first service in the new building on April 7, 1991. The Cornerstone Service and Dedication Service were on May 12, 1991.
In 1993, Colonial Christian Church was recognized at the Regional Assembly for “commendable growth during the years 1987-1992 with an average annual increase in membership of 12.5% and for a 39% increase in participating members.” Also in 1993, a large Stained Glass Window was donated and installed at the front of the sanctuary. Other Stained Glass Windows were later donated and installed for the balance of the sanctuary.
On May 19, 2002 the congregation voted to proceed with an expansion to the church to include a fellowship hall, kitchen, and Sunday School rooms.Groundbreaking was held on October 12, 2003 with the Cornerstone Laying on June 13, 2004. The Dedication Service was held on April 3, 2005 with Rev. Lee Parker, Regional Minister, as guest speaker.
We are grateful to so many who have given sacrificially of themselves and their resources to make Colonial Christian Church a beautiful place to worship, study, pray and to carry out our calling as Disciples of Christ.We have been blessed by many financial donations and gifts over the years, too numerous to list.
Ministers that have served Colonial Christian Church:
Robert Bohannon 9-1-91 1-26-97
Kathryn Hull (Interim Minister) 4-13-97 4-12-98
Diane Johnston 4-13-98 2-28-99
Brice Hughes (Interim Minister) 3-7-99 12-31-00
Gloria Leggett 3-01-01 5-31-05
Buddy Westbrook (Interim Minister) 7-1-05 1-15-06
Clayton Boyd 1-16-06