Sunday School: 9:15 AM
Worship Service:10:15 AM
(unless otherwise noted)
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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 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
