| Our History |
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In the early 1950's, Amelia had no Church of Christ. Around that time, Walter Bolender moved to Amelia from Moscow, OH. He was instrumental in starting the first church here, along with Roland Gray, Charles Vickers, Delbert Wilson, Duke Galloway, and Virgil Wood.  Part of the congregation present at a meeting at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Duke Galloway in Amelia before the first official service of the church- click to enlarge On August 31, 1952, the first church meeting was held in the Amelia High School auditorium with 62 people in attendance (view one of the original newspaper announcements). The new congregation was sponsored by the other 12 Churches of Christ in Clermont County. Services were led by James Johnson of New Richmond, then John Kinner of Mulberry and Lowell Jackson of Delhi Church, Cincinnati and Carl Wolf of Mt. Washington. On September 28, 1952, Lowell Jackson was hired as the regular pastor. 
Early meeting of the Amelia Church of Christ in 1952 at the Amelia High School
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View Charter Membership Roll:
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View "Christian Call" -- first newsletter sent after ACC formed: As winter grew closer, rent at the high school doubled to $100 a month due to increased heating costs. It was apparent that the church would not be able to continue meeting there. With the help of the Christian Restoration Association (CRA) and Christian Churches in the area, funds were raised for a downpayment on a building. The CRA also assisted with the minister's salary until the church had its feet on the ground. This allowed funds to be focused on payments for a piece of property 85 feet by 240 feet on the main four lane highway through town.  Officers of the Amelia Church of Christ and some members who were present for the signing of the bank note needed to purchase the first building to be used for church services in 1952- click to enlarge In November 1952, a house was purchased on the property where the church currently stands. The building was first a garage and later became a dwelling. On December 14, 1952, the congregation began meeting in the house.  December 14, 1952 -- first congregation to meet in the newly purchased two-story building- click to enlarge  Second floor assembly room in newly acquired building (1952) before it was redecorated. Seated in the front is the nucleus of the new church. Front row, left to right -- Walter Bolender, Roland Gray, Virgil Wood, Dr. Duke Galloway, David Fluharty, Lowell Jackson, minister, and behind him to his left, Charles Vickers, Jr.- click to enlarge The first revival was held on the new property in the CRA tent during the first two weeks of June 1953. Harvey Bream, Jr., then an evangelist for the CRA, preached and Lowell Jackson, minister, led the singing. There were 10 additions to the church during the revival. In 1955, a concrete block building was constructed on the property so that the congregation would have more room.  Construction of new block building in 1955
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On June 3, 1956, a dedication service was held for the newly constructed block building. Woodrow Perry, President of Cincinnati Bible Seminary gave the dedication address. Ministers from several nearby Churches of Christ also participated in the program. Among those mentioned in the program was Ruth Barton, who still attends the Amelia Church of Christ.
View Program from Dedication Day (June 3, 1956): On December 21, 1958, The Sunday Courier featured an article on the growth at the church. By this time, 92 members were enrolled. Below are links to some images from the article.
In the spring of 1961, plans were laid to complete the original building project. The building was faced with a brick veneer and entirely renovated inside and out in a colonial architecture. A baptistry was installed, and a new wing was added which included dressing rooms and restrooms. Also included in the project were a coat room, a cry room and a minister's study. The entire project cost around $25,000.  Refaced and renovated building in 1961- click to enlarge A dedication service for the completion of the building was held on August 6, 1961. Harvey Bream, Jr., then the editor of the Restoration Herald, gave the dedication message.
View Program from Dedication Service (August 5, 1961):
Others who participated in this dedication program were June Holden, pianist; Burrell Saylor, choir director; Joy Kittrell, elder; Lowell Jackson, minister, Medway, OH; architect William Schilling II; contractors Vernon Nelson and Burton Smith; Charles Barton, chairman of the Building Committee; Walter Bolender, Chairman of the of the Trustees; Ray Lindsley, deacon; and Desmond Cole, minister at Batavia, OH. (bolded names are still at ACC) On July 29, 1973, the ground breaking service was held for the current building. Art Merkle of the Wilmington Church of Christ was the speaker. Several current members of the church played key roles in this service (see program below).  Groundbreaking service in 1973 for current building- click to enlarge View Program: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3  Current building of the Amelia Church of Christ- click to enlarge Just as in the beginning, we have a great family at the Amelia Church of Christ who is passionate about reaching out and helping draw others (and ourselves) closer to Christ. To hear more about who we are and what we're doing now, you can read about what's new, things to do at ACC and about our ministry staff. Facilities may be updated, methods may change, but our purpose remains constant because, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) |