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Learn more about Clayton Christian Church... The Clayton Christian Church was organized on December 7th, 1863 by Reverend Thomas Lockhart and O.P. Badger. Samuel B. Hall and John R. Ballard were chosen as the first elders. George Acton and James Ferguson were deacons. The church was built in 1865 at a cost of over $2600. The Aid Society was formed in 1899. It consisted of five members and grew to a membership of forty who did wonderful work for the church. A good Sunday School of about one hundred members existed at that time. In 1926 the construction of an annex on the north side of the church came about through the faithful effort and outstanding leadership of Mrs. Sylvia Shields and her very active "4L" class of youth. This structure provided additional classes in Bible School, various business meetings and fellowship gatherings. Out of Mrs. Shields "4L" class, Glen Tudor and Maurice Thompson, became prominent evangelists. Maurice Thompson was ordained in 1930 in this church. Also due special recognition for many years of faithful service as a teacher was coordinator was Byron Elmore. Unfortunately, the church records were destroyed by fire in 1941 in the home of the Clerk-Treasurer. In 1962, the first organ was purchased with a generous donation in memory of Paul Jackson. in 1978, a baptistry was installed with scenery painted by Helen Whetstone. Sunday School rooms were constructed in the annex. In the following years, new purchases and renovations were made. In 1991, the church dropped the affiliation with the Disciples of Christ, which it had held since 1959. It then returned to its original status as an independent Christian Church. Five church members were part of an initial mission trip to Honduras in 1994. The following two years fifteen, then seventeen members took the same trip. 1995 was an eventful year with the purchase of land for a new church building. The land was paid for in less than twelve months. On January 7, 1996 the church took a special offering to pay off the land. The attendance on that day was 64. Our average worship attendance at that time was 104. The offering total was $9,032.22. 1997 and 1998 were years of anticipation, architects were selected and a master site plan was developed. The first structural drawing was made. A stewardship campaign was begun in 1999. The theme was Caring Enough to Grow. The total estimated giving over and above regular offerings for the next three years was $352,000. The estimated total cost for the building was 1.2 million for phase one. Our initial mortgage was in the amount of $850,000. Ground breaking for the new facility was held after the morning church services on September 17, 2000. The 13,000 plus square foot building was erected in time for the congregation to hold the inaugural worship service on Sunday August 19, 2001. Dedication Day was September 9, 2001 with 284 present. Our guest musician for the day was Doug Spencer. Our speaker was Steve White, Senior Minister of the Plainfield Christian Church. CCC has continued to grow in number and spirit during the two years we have been in our new facility. For years the ministers of CCC had served bi-vocationally. On May 31, 1997, Rob Brown was called to serve half time with the promise of full time as soon as the church could support a full time salary. One year later he was called to serve on a full time basis. That was a bold step of faith. Another followed in March of 2003 when Gary Black was called to serve as Senior Minister on a full time basis. He had served part time since February 1988. Throughout all the years the legacy of faith has been passed from generation to generation. From those who started this church in 1863 through the present, God has blessed Clayton Christian Church. We thank God for the legacy of those who have gone before us such as Delbert "Shorty" Shuler, Leroy Whetstone, Ida Appleby, Gene Hart and Bill Henley. We rejoice in those who have commited a lifetime of service to Clayton Christian Church and their lives continue to bless us. Neither time nor space would permit the declaration of all who serve and have lived the legacy of faith. Nor do we know the names of all who are yet to come. But this one thing we know, if we are faithful, God will continue to bless our legacy of faith til Jesus comes again! "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1,2) |
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