History of Village Christian Church
Early yearbook records indicate a church was established in Auburn 1903-1906. There was no
building. From 1924-1931, the yearbooks indicate there was a Sunday School and a Women’s
Missionary Society. From 1932-1935, Milligan Earnest served Auburn as one of a circuit, preaching
once a month. In 1956 the 71st Convocation of Christian Churches of Alabama approved
construction of a meeting place in Auburn. The Speigel-Branch Memorial Educational fund and East
Alabama District helped to fund the purchase of a lot and construction of a building. Construction
began in June, 1956 and on March 31, 1957, nearly 300 people attended the dedication ceremony on
Cox Street. Howard Short, editor of the Christian, spoke at the service. A memorial service was
included for J.A. Branch and S.P. Speigel, revered ministers in the Valley area.
In 1958, the Milligan Earnest organ was dedicated. The first minister was Robert Watson. In 1963, a
building was purchased from the college and converted to Sunday School rooms and a library.
In 1980, the congregation responded to a survey and recommendation from the Board of Church
Extension and voted to move the site of the church to a more visible location. Closure service for the
Cox Street facility was held March 5, 1989. The congregation began holding services in a temporary
building on South 8th Street, Opelika, Alabama. Seven ministers served the church from 1957-1983.
In the period from 1983-1989, a series of part-time ministers from the Chaplaincy School at Maxwell
Air Force Base filled the pulpit.
In the fall of 1989 the church celebrated the ground breaking for the new building at 700 East
University Drive. Dedication Service was on May 5, 1990 with Carl Flock, Regional Minister, presiding.
The first minister was Daryl Lauber. In February, 1992, the ground breaking ceremony for the
Meditation Garden was held. The garden has been a “work in progress” since that time. It has
gained the church much visibility in the community and added to the beauty of the neighborhood.
Between July 1996 and 2001, the pulpit was filled mainly by part-time ministers from Montgomery
and Maxwell Air Force Base. Patricia Yates became the full time minister in January 2001.
In 2001, a student program was initiated again after a long hiatus.
It has been important to make students feel they are an integral part
of the local church family.
The congregation is very active in the community. About one-fourth
of the members volunteer at Community Market (a food program for
those in need). Others serve in various ways to reach out and care
for others. We firmly believe that worship and service go hand in
hand.
In 2004 a Visioning Committee looked at long term goals and directions. From that came an
application to host “Miracle Day.” On June 3, 2006 major changes took place, especially in our
Meditation Garden, which was already an asset to the community as a tranquil oasis in a busy town.
A large labyrinth based on the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France is now open to the
community as well as our congregation. An old-fashioned 'barn raising' on Miracle Day resulted in
our large covered pavilion, which is used for special events.
Pat and Cecil Yates retired to play with their grandchildren at
the end of 2007. Diane Wood joined our congregation
as minister in July of 2008.
In May, 2010, Village Christian celebrated 20 years at our
the current location, 700 E. University Drive.
Our congregation is moving into the future with new dreams
and possibilities!
building. From 1924-1931, the yearbooks indicate there was a Sunday School and a Women’s
Missionary Society. From 1932-1935, Milligan Earnest served Auburn as one of a circuit, preaching
once a month. In 1956 the 71st Convocation of Christian Churches of Alabama approved
construction of a meeting place in Auburn. The Speigel-Branch Memorial Educational fund and East
Alabama District helped to fund the purchase of a lot and construction of a building. Construction
began in June, 1956 and on March 31, 1957, nearly 300 people attended the dedication ceremony on
Cox Street. Howard Short, editor of the Christian, spoke at the service. A memorial service was
included for J.A. Branch and S.P. Speigel, revered ministers in the Valley area.
In 1958, the Milligan Earnest organ was dedicated. The first minister was Robert Watson. In 1963, a
building was purchased from the college and converted to Sunday School rooms and a library.
In 1980, the congregation responded to a survey and recommendation from the Board of Church
Extension and voted to move the site of the church to a more visible location. Closure service for the
Cox Street facility was held March 5, 1989. The congregation began holding services in a temporary
building on South 8th Street, Opelika, Alabama. Seven ministers served the church from 1957-1983.
In the period from 1983-1989, a series of part-time ministers from the Chaplaincy School at Maxwell
Air Force Base filled the pulpit.
In the fall of 1989 the church celebrated the ground breaking for the new building at 700 East
University Drive. Dedication Service was on May 5, 1990 with Carl Flock, Regional Minister, presiding.
The first minister was Daryl Lauber. In February, 1992, the ground breaking ceremony for the
Meditation Garden was held. The garden has been a “work in progress” since that time. It has
gained the church much visibility in the community and added to the beauty of the neighborhood.
Between July 1996 and 2001, the pulpit was filled mainly by part-time ministers from Montgomery
and Maxwell Air Force Base. Patricia Yates became the full time minister in January 2001.
In 2001, a student program was initiated again after a long hiatus.
It has been important to make students feel they are an integral part
of the local church family.
The congregation is very active in the community. About one-fourth
of the members volunteer at Community Market (a food program for
those in need). Others serve in various ways to reach out and care
for others. We firmly believe that worship and service go hand in
hand.
In 2004 a Visioning Committee looked at long term goals and directions. From that came an
application to host “Miracle Day.” On June 3, 2006 major changes took place, especially in our
Meditation Garden, which was already an asset to the community as a tranquil oasis in a busy town.
A large labyrinth based on the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France is now open to the
community as well as our congregation. An old-fashioned 'barn raising' on Miracle Day resulted in
our large covered pavilion, which is used for special events.
Pat and Cecil Yates retired to play with their grandchildren at
the end of 2007. Diane Wood joined our congregation
as minister in July of 2008.
In May, 2010, Village Christian celebrated 20 years at our
the current location, 700 E. University Drive.
Our congregation is moving into the future with new dreams
and possibilities!
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