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A Brief History of the Colonial

Hills Congregation

The Colonial Hills Community of Christ congregation possesses a rich heritage in the Blue Springs community that dates as far back as the early 20th century. Several members of our congregation worshiped together in a little white-frame church on the corner of 15th Street and Smith. One of those who served as pastor was Tom Ultican, former Assistant Superintendent of the Blue Springs School District.

In 1959, a new red-brick building was erected almost entirely by congregational volunteer labor on the far edge of town on 19th Street just north of 40 Highway. The pastor was Eugene Look. As the boundaries of Blue Springs grew, so did the congregation. In the early 1970's, the members were divided into South Park and North Park, with two separate congregations meeting at different times on Sunday morning. Many members of Colonial Hills attended the South Park congregation with Jack Schmidt, Jack Cochran, and Ken Baldwin serving as pastors, respectively.

In October of 1982, a reorganization of the two congregations into the Blue Springs Congregation with 935 members was fulfilled in order to “plan and accommodate for future growth in Blue Springs by drawing from the strengths of both groups.” Jim Crum served as pastor until November of l983, when Joe Donald, under appointee assignment to Blue Valley Stake, became Blue Springs Congregation’s first full-time presiding elder.
In January of 1985, the large congregation was once again divided geographically into Congregation A (now named Parkview) and Congregation B (Colonial Hills). Members were invited to determine the congregation of their choice. Bill Colyer served as pastor of the latter.
Members of the Colonial Hills congregation purchased land on South 7 Highway. where they began to build another red-brick building with Dick Cochran and David Netter presiding as pastors. The first worship service was held on Christmas Day in 1988 with Pastor Sylvester Coleman presiding. The congregation and its programs continued to grow under the leadership of Pastors Evan Manuel, Gary Testerman, Chuck Hakes and Joe Booz.
Dave Byrn was serving the congregation as presiding pastor when an arsonist set fire to the building in January of 2003. Colonial Hills members were invited to meet during the year of their building’s restoration at Woods Chapel Community of Christ–again two congregations in one building meeting at different times. Under Dave Byrn’s leadership, the congregation’s building was restored to its original splendor with a new commercial kitchen and state-of-the-art audio system. Rich Brown led the congregation through its post-fire period when the congregation once again began to grow and expand.
Throughout the years of Colonial Hills' growth, the Women's Department has provided a vital ministry to both the congregation and the community. Under the leadership of many outstanding women, their sponsorship of activities over the years have included monthly fellowship potluck dinners, fundraising bazaars and auctions, weekly study groups, secret pal ministry, annual Christmas Progressive Dinner, Valentine friendship and masquerade dinners, mother-daughter banquets, meals for the sick, receptions for graduates, anniversaries, and honorees, bridal and baby showers, and funeral dinners.
Congregational life for Colonial Hills involves an active music program with talented directors and musicians. The congregation provides both children and adult choir activities throughout the year as well as outstanding performances of Christmas and Easter choral presentations. Annual activities, such as vacation church school, rummage sale sponsoring youth camperships, fundraising sale of apple pies for the congregational retreat, monthly dinner groups, involvement in Community Services League and Habitat for Humanity, illustrate the active congregational life of Colonial Hills.
Recognized as a valuable resource, the congregation strives to offer many programs for children. Designed to extend into the community as well as the congregation these include weekly Sunday school classes, summer vacation church school, Community Boys' and Girls' Clubs, Kids 4 Peace Club, junior and senior high activities, summer youth camps, and the annual Easter Eggstravaganza and Breakfast with Santa activities.
Colonial Hills Community of Christ is a congregation that extends an open invitation to all who would like to seek the Lord in a meaningful worship experience as well as participate in a vital and active congregation.

Written by Linda Baker

Leadership

Garland Land was elected Pastor of Colonial Hills in July 2007.

Garland and Sarah Land moved to Independence in December 2006 and soon thereafter enrolled in the Colonial Hills congregation. They had previously lived in Jefferson City Missouri for nearly 36 years. Garland had directed the vital records, health statistics and information systems units of the state health department. Sarah was a registered nurse for 25 years and then managed the Land’s antique mall at the Lake of the Ozarks for 13 years.

Garland grew up in Independence and attended William Chrisman high school, Graceland and the University of Michigan. Sarah lived in Iowa and Nebraska before attending the Independence Sanitarium to become a nurse. They met when Garland was invited to assist the nursing students in a youth club they established in Blue Summit or what was called “Dog Patch”

Garland is a High Priest and Sarah holds the office of Priest. Garland was District President and Pastor of the Jefferson City congregation for several years. Sarah was involved in congregational pastoral ministries.
Garland retired from the state Health Department in 2005 and took the position as Executive Director of the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems. His office is in the Washington DC area. He commutes there approximately every other week and works from the home the rest of the time. His work includes coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control, Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration and the State Department to prevent fraudulent use of birth certificates and improving the vital statistics system of the nation.

Sarah and Garland decided to move back to Independence because they have two married daughters who live in the area as well as three grandchildren and one on the way. Sarah enjoys being a grandmother and babysitting for the grandchildren one day a week.

The Lands’ interests include reading, antiques, singing and using their gifts and talents for the church whenever needed.

Gretchen Booz, Counselor

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Hilary Jenkins, Counselor

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Dan Speigle, Counselor

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