History of Community Christian Church

The history of Community Christian Church dates back to 1888 when a young boy’s Sunday School class from the First Christian Church of Kansas City established a new mission church at 31st and Cherry Streets, then the southernmost reach of the city limits of Kansas City. Within two years, the mission church had grown so large that it was formally organized in April, 1890, with Reverend Hiram S. Gilliam called as its first minister. The church’s first building at 31st and Charlotte streets was dedicated in 1894.

From 1898 until 1907, Dr. Thomas Preston Haley, a noted minister of the Disciples of Christ and a pioneer ecumenist, served the church, which was first known as the Springfield Avenue Christian Church and later as the South Side Christian Church.

Dr. Burris Atkins Jenkins, who, as a young boy, had been a member of the class that established the church, served as senior minister from 1907 until his death in 1945. His ministry led to the building of Linwood Boulevard Christian Church at Linwood Boulevard and Forest Avenue and the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed structure at 45th and Main Streets.

In the 1930’s, the name of the church was changed to Community Christian Church “...to emphasize our protest against closed membership, closed communion, closed anything and everything, and to declare the church nothing else than it is — everybody’s church.”

The building on Linwood Boulevard was destroyed by fire in 1939, after which the congregation moved to the present location at 4601 Main Street on the Country Club Plaza. This “Church of the Future,” designed by world-famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, was dedicated in 1942. The structure represented a sharp departure from traditional church architecture, and, in 1942, heralded a future surge in growth and ministry for Community Christian Church.

Dr. Frank Johnson Pippin, dynamic pulpiteer and administrator, served as senior minister from 1946 until his retirement in 1966 with the gift of a year-long sabbatical from the congregation. During Dr. Pippin’s tenure, Community had one of its most phenomenal eras of growth and witness. Dr. Pippin died in a car crash in 1968.

He was succeeded by Dr. Harold Glen Brown, a highly respected leader in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and in ecumenical endeavors. Dr. Brown served Community until 1978 when he accepted an invitation to join the faculty at Texas Christian University’s Brite Divinity School.

In 1979, Dr. R. Michael Waco was called to become senior minister. Under his leadership Community enhanced its governance, planning procedures for the future, and musical programs. In 1986, Central Christian Church of Dallas, Texas, extended a call to Dr. Waco to become its minister, and he accepted.

Since 1987, Dr. Robert Lee Hill has led Community in a renaissance period of growth and enhancement, with positive changes in its pastoral care and its property, in attitude and aptitude and action. The refurbishing of our sanctuary building ($1,000,000+) and the renovation of our Activities Center ($2,000,000+) has helped to make Community a “24/7/365 church.” Commitments to mission outreach have totaled more than $1.7 million for others, with a steady focus on a constant theme: “Life is to be celebrated, not merely tolerated!”

Community Christian Church is progressive in thought. Members are accorded the freedom of individual discernment. There is no attempt to dictate belief in any one Biblical interpretation or theological perspective. No one is asked to subscribe to a particular set of rules for Christian conduct. Every member is granted the right and encouraged to follow the dictates and guidance of a Christian conscience. Because of Community’s spirit, people of varying beliefs and religious backgrounds are excited to find a welcoming fellowship within its membership. We strive in good will to strengthen understanding, trust, joy, cooperation, loving compassion, and discipleship among ourselves and all Christian believers. We seek a religious faith that is hopeful, joyful, intelligent, relevant, and vital for living in a changing world.

Seeking first the reign of God's ways in the world, it is the purpose of the Community Christian Church through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to share the good news of Christ's redeeming love in such a way that the human family might be made whole; to welcome all people into our midst for worship, nurture, and Christian fellowship; to minister—through sharing and caring—to the needs of others in their human predicament.

Community Christian Church Vision Statement for the 21st Century:
Worship God ◊ Grow Disciples ◊ Serve the World

Community Christian Church Core Commitments:
Transforming Lives by
Connecting the Unconnected,
Reconnecting the Disconnected,
Deepening the Committed,
In the Community of Christ's Love