~ ABOUT CHCC ~

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

The Christian Church is made up of approximately 6000 cooperating, independent congregations in the U.S.A. with a strong foreign missions presence throughout the world. We are congregationally governed with no official or authoritative organization beyond the local church. The Christian Churches were recently recognized in a religious poll as the fastest growing Christian body in the U.S.

Christian Churches accept without reservation Jesus Christ as the divine Son of the Living God, and the Bible as God's inspired Word and sufficient for faith and practice.

We observe the Lord's Supper weekly as a simple memorial of our Lord's atoning death. Each person worshipping here is invited to participate in this communion.

We wear the name mentioned in the Bible for the followers of Christ- Christian (Acts 11:26). We do not claim to be the only Christians, but Christians only. We adopt no rule of faith and Christian practice beyond the Bible (2Tim. 3:16,17). We practice Christian baptism, the immersion of the repentant believer (Matt. 28:19) upon his or her confession of the Lordship of Christ (Rom. 10 9,10). We believe that Christ actually and literally was crucified, dead, was buried and was resurrected from the dead and will return as prophesied to receive His own.



CHCC HISTORY

On January 7, 1958, a group of 11 Christians held the first organizational meeting concerning the start of a Christian Church in Colonial Heights, Kingsport, Tennessee. Their efforts were brought to fruition in the purchase of the house at 201 Colonial Heights Road, which was adapted for use as Bible school and worship facilities. Dedication of the building was held on March 16, 1958, with 41 charter members present.

In August 1958 the church called its first full-time minister, H. A. "Bill" Bullis.  The following men have since served the Colonial Heights Christian Church as minister, Robert G. Tyler, Donald M. Tapp, Robert O'Donnell, Richard A. Carpenter, Hugh Thompson, Wes McElravy, and presently Interim Minister Bruce Montgomery.

On June 30, 1963, the A-frame building on Meadow Lane was dedicated.

On March 27, 1983, the congregation voted to purchase property adjacent to the church.  That property, which became known as "the Annex," allowed more space for Bible school, fellowship, and future expansion.

In 1991, with growth from 41 charter members to more than 300 resident members, the need for more space was obvious.  Plans were drawn for a new sanctuary, offices, and classrooms, and construction began during the summer of 1991. The first worship service in the new sanctuary was held in October 1992, and a time capsule was buried, to be opened in 2042. The original sanctuary was converted into the current fellowship hall and kitchen.

The new millennium brought growth in membership, attendance, programs, facilities and staff.  A bus was acquired in July 2000 and a garage was built. The church purchased the "Tilley Property," including land and a building adjacent to the church.  In 2002 that building  began to serve as a meeting place for the Student Ministry.

 

In July 2003 a second addition was completed.  This addition included several new Sunday School classrooms on the main floor, with a new warehouse below to accommodate the expanding needs of the Food Ministry.

 

A continuous prayer of CHCC has been that God would bring an increase, and He again exceeded expectations. As a result, the church found the need for a third expansion to the facilities. The Building to Serve Campaign kicked off in early 2009, construction began in early 2010, and the new Family Life Center was completed in 2011.  The center houses six classrooms, a library, eight offices, a workroom, a large youth room, a kitchen, a full-size gymnasium, and an elevator that services both the new and original buildings.  We are so thankful for additional room for the children and youth, consolidated offices, and facilities for church and community events.

As we recount the history of this fine church, we are inspired by what God has chosen to accomplish in this place, and we are excited by the prospect of what is yet to come. May God continue to receive all the honor and glory from the work of Colonial Heights Christian Church.