Our History
Churches of Christ
In Acts chapter 2, God tells us about the beginning of His church on the day of Pentecost. Acts, and various other books in the New Testament, go on to tell us all about that early, first-century church. The name "churches of Christ" can be found in Romans 16:16. Today, the Churches of Christ wholeheartedly seek to be a modern continuation of the church that was first established at Pentecost.
Some key beliefs that distinguish the Churches of Christ are: (1) the Bible is our only source for Christian doctrine; (2) individual churches are autonomous, governed by their own appointed elders with no primary headquarters for the Churches of Christ as a whole; (3) we believe full immersion baptism into Christ is essential for salvation; and (4) we seek to follow the commands, examples, and practices of the first-century church found in the New Testament. Correlating to that, we do not involve any acts of worship that are not found in the New Testament.
Orange Avenue Church of Christ
Orange Avenue Church of Christ began in 1957 in the carport of a local home where a small group of 35 people met to worship together. The church met at this home for only a short while before renting some space in the basement of a local library.
This growing, but still small group of Christians pulled together and purchased the land at 1511 East Orange Avenue in 1963, where they built Orange Avenue Church of Christ's first, simple brick church building. Our building and location was the result of the loving and visionary sacrifice of a very small church family.
As time passed, Orange Avenue continued to grow and expand. Three more additions were constructed in 1972, 1980, and 2001 as growth produced the need for more space. Today, Orange Avenue is a thriving church family full of younger and older members alike—passing on our love for God and the good news of Jesus from one generation to the next!
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you
and your children and for all who are far off
—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
—Peter, Acts 2:38–39