The 2007 Centennial Celebration Historical Committee has put together this information for you:

In the early 1900’s, a group of people in the rural East-Of-Alexandria area began meeting together for Bible Studies and classes. They were able to meet in both the Manring and Spiceland Schools (corners of Bethel Pike and 200 E and 400 E). Records show that the first name they considered giving themselves was “The Spiceland Congregation”. One of the men, Mr. Grant Stephenson, had traveled to Kokomo, Indiana, to hear a Christian minister, Dr. J.L. Puckett, who was well known in that city at that time. The group of Believers asked Dr. Puckett to begin leading them in their worship services, and he accepted their calling.

From that beginning, Dr. Puckett led the group to organize as an official Body of Christ. In February of 1907, fourteen Charter Members named their new church The Christian Congregation.

Those first members were:

Sarah Cree, Martha Cunningham, Joseph Cunningham, Irma Cunningham, Merla Cunningham, Minnie Jarrett, Buck Mullins, J.H. King, Michael King, Grant Stephenson, Ella Slone, Jacob Swindell, Madaline Swindell

Family members (children/grandchildren) from three of the first members’ families are still active in the church.

The congregation continued meeting in the Spiceland Schoolhouse with Dr. Puckett leading services through 1907. Included in the church Archives are a few booklets authored by Dr. J.L. Puckett, writing about his studies of Scripture and his devotion to the Word of God, Jesus The Christ and His teachings.

Rev. Mary Wygant, also from Kokomo, followed Dr. Puckett as pastor in 1908. During Rev. Wygant’s pastorate, an area landowner, Mr. W.F. Wilson, generously donated a corner lot at Bethel Pike (1100 N) and County Road 300 E for the church to erect a building. In the year 1914, members, with help (including donations of trees from their properties for the lumber) from many surrounding farmers and friends, built the first structure on the site as it presently stands. The new church building was dedicated in June, 1915. Continuing to pastor the church through 1917, Rev. Wygants’s own recording (also archived) reveal that the membership has grown to near 100. Rev. Mae Puckett Foster then filled the pastorate from 1917 to 1924.

Successive pastors were Rev. Jennie Forkner, 1925 to 1929; Rev. Earl Callaway pastored in 1930; Rev. George Winfrey, 1931 to 1933 (approximate time). No record is found of a serving pastor until Rev. Paul Ryketa, 1939-1940; then, Rev. Earl Callaway again until 1941. From 1942 through 1944, two ministers’ names are known, their exact time and length of service, unclear; Rev. George Gallagher and Rev. R.V. Givens. It is generally in agreement that this small country church did struggle to stay together for a period of the early through the mid 1940’s.

More specific history began to be recorded and/or remembered from the year, 1945, when Rev. George Winfrey returned (having served earlier, 1931-1933) to pastor. The congregation’s membership and attendance began to build through his tenure ending in 1952. It is also believed that 1945 was the year that Alexandria Kiwanis Club organizers of the Madison County 4-H Fair asked the Christian Congregation Ladies Aid if they would open a food tent to serve Fairgoers, as there was a need for such a service during that week at the Beulah Park Fairground. Through 1947, the written records and remembered history is uncertain, though it is known that the concession tent at first was a small and simple production. (Actually it was a borrowed funeral home interment tent.) What is known, is that the County 4-H Fair grew and the size of the Christian Congregation Food Tent kept growing and going—and, famously, is still serving those Fairgoers year after year.

The Christian Congregation Ladies Aid role in the history of the church is particularly noteworthy. Most churches have an established ladies group; they surely seem to be an inherent part of the very Spirit of Jesus’ Church. The New Testament gives evidence that women were cooking, serving and caring for others in that very first group of Believers. CCC Ladies Aid has been, for over 80 years, attempting to serve in the footsteps of  those Marys, Marthas, Salomes, Joannas, for the CCC Fellowship; willing to work, help, sponsor, fortify and encourage for our Lord’s Glory and Purpose.

Rev. Stanley Reed followed the beloved Rev. Winfrey, who had passed away in July of 1952. Rev. Reed pastored from 1953 to 1956 during his student years at Taylor University—a young minister aspiring to lead with Spirit and faith to build the congregation. Rev. Richard Tice served from 1956 to 1959 while studying at Christian Theological Seminary; also from that school came Rev. Bill Zeoli, who pastored for a year, 1959 through 1960.

Rev. J. Phillip Blake enrolled in Anderson College Seminary and began to pastor his first congregation here, from 1960 through half of 1963. Rev. Blake’s active ministry was leading toward a gain in attendance, and with that a need for added and updated space. The landowners, (and members) Everett and Addie Wilson, donated additional acreage to the existing corner lot; and a 38 foot extension which included classrooms, office and restrooms with full basement, was added to the original structure in 1962.

In November 1963, the growing congregation welcomed Rev. Tom McCracken, also having enrolled in the Anderson College Seminary. Bible Studies, Bible Schools for children and Youth Groups, music activity, Missions focus, were resulting in both spiritual and membership growth. Rev. McCracken and family left in 1966 for the mission field to the West Indies. Revs. Tom and Jean McCracken have served as Missionaries since leaving Christian Congregation; after the West Indies, most of that time spent in Brazil. They have remained a part of CCC’s own Family and our Mission Partners during their years of church planting and service in South America. This congregation has been blessed to be included in their sponsorship, prayer partnering and work team assistance through their time of Commission.

Following Rev. McCracken were successive pastors, Rev. James McKenzie, 1966 to 1967, and Rev. Bernard Myers; 1967 to 1968. The year 1969 brought a diligent several-months-search for a pastor. Rev. R. Clayton Kendall filled the position in December, 1969, and served until August, 1973. Those years brought the Fellowship challenges in spiritual awareness and activity; new members committing their souls, their hearts and hands to growing in our Lord. Another building addition, a 40 x 60 foot Fellowship Room, new kitchen, restrooms and storage/utility area were built in 1973; also provided was a second, ground-level entrance to the now-larger building.

From early 1974 to late summer, 1975, a Taylor University Dean of Students, Rev. Charles Griffin, left his campus position to provide CCC its new ministry. Rev. Griffin was then called to the Lord’s Service in New York State. Upon leaving, he graciously (albeit unexpectedly) handed CCC’s pulpit, on Labor Day Sunday, 1975, to a Taylor alumnus, former student of Charles Griffin’s, and Chaplain-turned-Pastor from Detroit, Rev. W. Gerald Young. This (really) young minister had the enthusiasm of three people, could have sung in four-part harmony with “The Three Tenors”, and was filled with our Lord’s Spirit of Love.

The Christian Congregation Church began to love, sing, work and serve Christ Jesus with this ministry. The sense of a “looking forward” spirit was prevalent in the congregation serving together. Early in 1980, a “Catch the Vision” Committee was formed, dedicating prayer for direction and guidance. Later that year, trusting that Pastor Jerry, Chris and family were staying with CCC for awhile longer; and, at which time attendance was growing and hearts were opening, CTV Committee and congregation were called to take a sooner-than-anticipated step of Faith. Neighbor, member and friend, (Mrs. Morris) Margaret L. Wilson, had generously made it known that the corner acre of her property directly across Bethel Pike was available any time the church wanted a parsonage. With “Catch The Vision” praying and proposing, CCC began planning another building project. Bob Rogers, the project Foreman, and many men, women and youth of the congregation committed to work together to completely construct a new home for the Pastor and family. They were able to move into the home in the late Summer of 1981. The “House That Love Built” was dedicated at the October, 1981 Homecoming. By this time, the church original sanctuary had the back wall removed so that a once– classroom became added sanctuary seating. A Sunday morning worship attendance of 200 was common.

Although it seemed immense, the congregation, by affirmation, were in accord that our Lord was leading this body in a new Vision for a larger sanctuary plus added rooms and space. In 1989, a Bond Program was decided upon in order to finance the large building expansion project that the “Catch The Vision” team and congregation had agreed upon in prayer and humble trust. Co-Leaders for the construction, Bob Rogers and David Glass, began in early 1990, and, with many faithful volunteers, kept a nearly-every-day work effort. The super accomplishment came to a point of completion in time for the dedication of the new 400-seat sanctuary, it’s Narthex, halls and restrooms, Nursery and Willing Workers Classroom, at the October, 1991 Homecoming. A large new kitchen, offices and Library were finished in the following two to four years.

Christian Congregation’s Faith Objective did aspire to achieve more than structuring buildings. With Pastor Jerry continuing to lead worship, studies, music/choirs; the help of several Youth Pastors through the years, Lay Leaders and Teachers, officers, Ladies groups; this congregation continued to strive to accomplish the work and growth of the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus, in His Body, this church.

In 1994, a team of CCC Pastors, teachers and leaders, spurred by Lay Leader, Dave Henderson, launched Christian Congregation’s AWANA program. AWANA’s name origin is taken from         2 Timothy 2:15: “Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed.” It is a weekly, Monday evening meeting, September through April, for children of the church and community. Groups and Teams are provided with leaders in order to memorize Bible verses and participate in healthy, structured and competitive physical fun and games. Students who wish may also take part in competitive memorization and games with other AWANA churches in Indiana. In its thirteenth consecutive year, this program is ministering to hundreds of local children yearly. Dave Henderson still serves as AWANA Commander. Another large building project’s plans grew from the need for added space for the AWANA Program and growing Youth Groups. In 2004 and 2005, an extension attached to the West of the existing Fellowship Room (which had been doubled in length in 2002) was constructed, using, once again, many volunteers from within the congregation. Catch The Vision leader, Dan Guilkey, directed the project that included a full gymnasium, classrooms, Youth area, restrooms and a second kitchen. As it is available for the benefit of all parts of the Fellowship, community activities and area churches are also welcome to use this fine facility which was dedicated to the Purpose of Christ in 2005.

Two times in the past eighteen years, an increase in land area was deemed necessary to provide for larger parking space and added building. Neighbor and landowner, Mr. Danny Johnson, whose sections of wooded pasture were very much needed (again) for the added acreage, did so generously and graciously donate the required land for CCC’s use. He joins the two landowners before him in offering additional space for our Lord’s work here at this “Country Corner.”

At this 100 year Celebration, we stand amazed that we can see that the Hand of Our Lord Jesus, in His All-Knowing Prescience, has guided and directed generations in this small humble space in rural central Indiana. In praise and thanksgiving, this Centennial commemoration does acknowledge that God’s Word lives and His Body grows with each passing century. Pastor Jerry Young truly believes and professes often that our Lord Jesus’ Hand was upon him to minister at this church and larger community in this space of time. Pastor has been a faithful Shepherd to that calling for nearly 32 years, as has his loyal family. Chris Young has directed hundreds of children in Christian Education, music, activities; been a willing mentor and friend; a Teacher, teacher trainer and recruiter and far more for most of those 30-some years.

Since 2003, Bart Koester, Pastor of Student Ministries, and (since 2005), Jami Koester, Administrative Assistant, have provided Senior Pastor Jerry with added leadership and faithful partnering in this quest for edifying Christ’s Kingdom. The entire ministry staff dedicate their resolve, action, care and love to the work of serving our Lord at Christian Congregation Church.

Pastor Jerry has pledged in this 100th year, his energy and devotion to, yet more enthusiastically, lead and challenge this congregation; individually and together—to dedicate more of self to Christ The Lord’s Work and Purpose; to reach out more to others, all the while carrying His Holy Spirit in thoughts, words, deeds and awareness.

  

2007 Centennial Celebration

Historical Committee

 
Becca Ryder, Chairman

Noreen Tobey

Jane Brotherton

Lucille Warner

Vickie Johnson Zirkle

Compiled by: Carolyn Dailey