Elkhart Christian Church

Elkhart Christian Church began formal worship meetings in the fall of 1852, a mile east of its present location. Simon Jessup, I.M.T. Cory, J.C. Holland, Elonzo Whitcomb, E.C McClung, and "Brother" Kinny were the initial organizing leaders as they met in the log schoolhouse. This group renamed themselves the Elkhart Christian Church, as it had previously been known as the Ottawa Church and earlier the Cory Grove Church.  The Church moved, with the town, in 1904 to its present address. A new wooden church was built here which served the congregation well until 1967. Worship was moved into the newer Educational Building, erected in 1963, and again in 1977, with the completion of the sanctuary we currently use. The congregation has historically been family and community oriented and has at least two, four-generation families still active in the Church.

If you would like to become a member of Elkhart CC, you are invited to come to the front of the sanctuary during the Hymn of Invitation. The minister will receive you into membership as you affirm your faith in one of three ways:  by profession of faith and baptism; by rededication of your life to Christ; or by letter of transfer from another congregation. Otherwise, you may speak to the pastor or an elder at any time to learn more about being  a member of Elkhart Christian Church.

Elkhart Christian Church practices believer's baptism by immersion for those who have reached an age of understanding and have made a confession of their faith. At the same time, we affirm that there is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4.5), and accept into membership those who have been baptized as infants and confirmed in their faith. You are urged to visit with our pastor or one of the elders if you have any questions regarding the sacrament of baptism.

In July of 2016, ECC members voted to become and open and affirming congregation.  Here is our adopted statement:  "As an open and affirming Disciples congregation, we are striving to become a people of grace and welcome to all God's children regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, political stance or theological perspective; and we affirm the faith, baptism, and spiritual gifts of all Christians regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, for neither is grounds for exclusion from fellowship or service within the church, for we celebrate that all are part of God's good creation."

Parents desiring to dedicate themselves to bring their children up in a Christian home may make arrangements with the pastor for this special service. This is a time for parents to give thanks for the birth of their child. At this time both the congregation and the parent(s) enter into a covenant to provide Christian nurture, love, and support to the child and the parent(s).