Beginnings

A brief history of the College Park Church of Christ. 

1963

1963, the civil rights movement is moving through the United Sates.  It is the middle of the Cold War. Coca – Cola will debut its first diet drink – Tab.  The United States will experience two things for the first time, James Bond and Zip Codes.

It is during the summer of 1963 that a small group of Christians begin meeting at the Stephens City, Virginia, Fire Hall with Roger Tuning ministering.  That fall (September 15) they will move their location to the U.A.W Union Hall on Paper Mill road in Winchester, Virginia.  They will hire their first full time minister, Terry R. Tuttle.

On September 22, 1963 the church charter is officially opened and remained open for one month.  During that time 31 people signed as charter members.   It is here that the Church of Christ, Paper Mill Road had its beginning.

“We the undersigners, do hereby establish the Church of Christ located on Paper Mill Road in Winchester, Virginia as a New Testament Church.  Independent of all other sister congregations and not subject to any organization, council or convention other than this local congregation and the commands of our Savior Jesus Christ; which are found in the Holy Scriptures.”

1965

1965, the first United States combat troops arrive in Vietnam.  Cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov becomes the first person to walk in space.  The 100th anniversary of the American Civil War is observed.  The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is completed and the famous mascot, the Pillsbury Doughboy, is created.

In Winchester, Virginia G.C. Richards is called to be the second full time minister and began his duties in December of that year.   The congregation began looking for a place to build a permanent building and in 1967 a piece of ground was found in the College Park sub-division.

The church held a ground breaking ceremony April 16 and construction began April 21.  The church moved into the building on October 15, just six months after construction had began.  The Church of Christ, Paper Mill Road becomes the College Park Church of Christ.  The building was officially dedicated on November 5th 1967.

Today the College Park Church of Christ is still located in the College Park sub-division (106 Purdue Drive).  The church located here bears witness to the faithfulness of God.  There have been good times and there have been difficult times but through it all God has been faithful.

If you are interested in what is currently happening at CPCC check out our blog or our facebook page.