COMMUNITy HILLS

Community Hills Christian could be described as the marriage of the two congregations in a story that has proven to be a rare success- a model of how it could be done again among other congregations. The relationship between Community Christian and College Hills Christian of San Angelo back in 2001 and 2002 could be described as a courting and the eventual marriage of the two congregations. The two congregations had a complimentary makeup of members, both congregations could benefit from additional resources and synergies and both congregations agreed that combining membership would bring greater opportunities to all the combined members.

​

In 2001, longtime friends Gus Alexander and Junior Powell happen to be meeting at Plaza del Sol, a National Benevolent Association retirement community in San Angelo, Texas owned by the local Disciple of Christ churches in the area at the time. They discussed the possibility of joining their two churches.  It was the spark that started a grand relationship between two congregations. Both men had been Disciples for many years; Gus, a member of College Hills Christian and Junior, a member of Community Christian. Membership totals were a bit low in both churches, and Gus and Junior felt that with combined resources, much more could be accomplished.

​

The two congregations were approached about this exciting possibility through a series of "listening conferences.”  Eager to move forward to explore the idea, the both congregations requested that a task force be formed. In a special service on January 6, 2002, the elders of the churches, through the "laying on of hands," formally charged the task force with the mission of developing a plan by which the merger could be accomplished most smoothly. Twelve church members made up this Task Force, with representation from both congregations. Agreeing to serve were Gus Alexander, Cindy Burkhalter, Gary Lindahl, Pedro Nieri, Lucy Seaman, Maxine Strickland and Judi Westbrook of College Hills Christian, and Tiger McCracken, Ruby Harlow, Junior Powell, Darrell Stublefield and Bob Wilson of Community Christian. The Task Force began meeting weekly in January of 2002, with the Area Moderator, John Pennington, facilitating the discussions.

​

In what surfaced as the most crucial points to be discussed were facility and property related.  Both churches came forward with sizable assets. College Hills had a large, modern 15-year-old sanctuary, and Community owned land on Southland Blvd across from Bonham Elementary School, with plans to sell their current facility.  It was necessary to agree to merge into the College Hills Christian location on Knickerbocker and reserve the Southland land for possible future expansion.  With that agreement, there were no other significant hurdles left. 

 

Once the congregations agreed to the idea of a merger, a plan was submitted by the task force and approved by both congregations. It was likened to an engagement to be married, and periodic joint worship services and joint fellowship activities were scheduled beginning on April 28, 2002.  An official celebration of the merger was held at 3:00 PM on August 18, 2002, the special service entitled, “And the Two Shall Become One."

​

During the next several months, the new church was very busy. Oneal Westbrook, a licensed lay minister who had historically led services at both churches over the years and a member of the new congregation, served as transitional minister during this important time. A Search Committee was formed to begin the process of looking for a new, fulltime minister.

 

Additionally, all members of the new congregation participated in the process of deciding upon a new name. Approximately 70 possible names were submitted, but only one was selected upon a vote- Community Hills Christian Church, thus combining the names of the two previous churches.

 

Rarely in the history of churches do two congregations successfully combine into one new congregation. However, Community Christian and College Hills Christian officially merged as Community Hills Christian Church, in what would become a long-term example of the successful joining of two church congregations into one.  On August 18, 2002, a special chartering service was held with 146 proud members on the roll.  After an extensive process by the search committee, on January 12, 2003, the congregation voted to extend a call to a new Senior Pastor. With great joy and anticipation, Dr. Casey Heilman was called to lead the newly formed Community Hills Christian Church into a bright and exciting future.