Church celebrates 198th anniversary

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VERSAILLES — On a wintry Sunday morning, Jan. 18, 1818, some settlers in the settlement of Jacksonville, Ohio, met in the home of William Hole and held the first worship service of the Jacksonville Christian Church.

In the early years of the nation, the great Cane Ridge Revival occurred in Kentucky. This revival spread like wildfire throughout the frontier by circuit riders and lay preachers. Samuel Kyle was converted in Kentucky and came north – as did many settlers of this period – into the Miami County. Some settlers followed the Stillwater River north and founded a tiny settlement called Jacksonville (now Versailles). Samuel Kyle and others began the Jacksonville Christian Church as an independent Christian church in which the Head of the Church was Jesus Christ … the Bible is the only source of authority … and there is no creed but Christ.

For the first couple of years the congregation met in the homes of church members. However, in 1820 William Hole gave several acres of land for the church and cemetery purposes. In 1822, a log church was erected on the highest point of the area of what is now known as Greenlawn Cemetery. The church changed their name to the Black Swamp Christian Church.

In 1856 the growth of the church justified a larger building. A brick structure was erected on a lot at the corner of West and Ward streets in Versailles.

In 1883 the congregation purchased the lot adjoining the church and another new brick structure was built. This facility was dedicated on June 8, 1884.

The church continued to experience growth and by 1921 it was determined that a new church building was necessitated. The old building was torn down and a new building was begun in the same location at West and Ward streets. The equipment and furnishings were moved to LeMoine Hall (second floor of the old VPP building in Versailles) where church services were held until the new structure was completed. On Nov. 22, 1922, the new church was dedicated “to the glory of God.”

In 1931 the Christian Church and the Congregational Church merged to form the Congregational Christian Church.

Then in 1957, the Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical & Reformed Church joined to create the United Church of Christ.

In 2005, the local church unanimously and prayerfully left the United Church of Christ and returned to their original roots as an independent Christian church.

VCC (Versailles Christian Church) is a Bible-believing church and acknowledges that God is the head of the church. There are no denominational headquarters and the scriptures are used as the only source of authority and guidance.

In 2013-14 VCC completed a major renovation of the existing facility which included upgrading of the electric, installation of central heat/ac, renovation of the auditorium including new media equipment and sound system, new offices, new classrooms wtih media, a counseling center, new nursery and handicapped accessible restrooms.

Now, 198 years later … VCC is still growing, worshipping and serving the Lord. The church may have a different location, different name and different members … but still worshiping the same god.

On Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, VCC will celebrate its 198th anniversary with services of praise and thanksgiving at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The anniversary message by Pastor Dennis J. Wheeler is “Why I Love the Church!”

Following the worship services there will be a church-wide anniversary luncheon served in the gym.

Nursery care (birth through age 2) and the “Kids Club” (preschool through fifth-grade) will be provided for families at all services.

The community is invited for this special day was the church celebrates its past, its future and God’s faithfulness.

VCC is located at 105 W. Ward St., Versailles, Ohio. For additional information, call the VCC office at 937.526.4194 -or- visit: www.versaillescc.com.

Staff report

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