According to church records, Chesterfield Christian Church was founded in 1897, organized mainly by two men named Emory Clifford and Joseph Seward. They met in a structure, purchased from a Methodist church costing $500, located on South Water Street (a structure no longer with us). 

In 1924, a group of sixty-five church members “sold bricks” in order to raise the money needed to build a new building, located on the corner of Elm and Water streets, which was erected and dedicated in January 1925. 

The church quickly found itself in difficulties and needed help from area churches to keep the doors open. By 1927 and through 1929, the structure was only used as a Bible School. The church had to close its doors in 1936. Shortly thereafter, most of our documented history was destroyed by fire in a home of the Secretary of the Eastern District of Churches, where our records were being stored. In January of 1938, a group of seven members reopened Chesterfield Christian’s doors. Student ministers from Butler’s seminary served as pastors.

In 1940, the church called its first full-time pastor, Reverend John Osberg, and the church grew under his direction. Then Rev. James Dorman served from 1943 through 1946 (W.W.II). Jame’s wife, Minnie, organized the Christian Women’s Missionary Society (the “roots” of today’s Christian Women’s Fellowship[CWF]).

Several short pastorates followed from 1946 to 1957; Lavern Beitler, John Neth Jr., Floyd Emshwiller(whose wife Emily organized and served as first President of CWF in 1953), William Rogers, and Daniel Bernhardt. 

In May 1957, the church called Rev. Harold “Pete” Clark as its next minister. At this time membership was around 50 members, with an annual budget of closely $7500. As the church continued to grow (Sunday school classes were being held in the parsonage), there a need developed for a larger structure. 

On June 9, 1963, the church worshipped for the first time on the property and in the building where we are presently located in what was then called the fellowship and educational wings. Our sanctuary was dedicated in 1971, and the additional educational wing and courtyard were completed in 1981. The land east of the building, called Clark Field was purchased later that year. The church paid off its last bond, used for financing the property and construction, in January 1989.

Rev. Pete served this church for 38 years, retiring in September 1995. He was followed by 2 years of service from Rev. Tony Alonzo and about 6 years of ministry from Rev. Mike Webber. In August of 2007 the church called Pastor Ned Clark as its next minister. We are currently around 150 members (active) with an annual budget of close to $150 thousand.

The hardships and struggles, sacrifices and labor, prayers and offerings of faithful, committed Christians blessed by an amazing God have resulted in 120 years of service and ministry in the Chesterfield and Anderson areas. 

We today, like our forefathers and mothers before us, stand strong in the conviction that Jesus is the Christ, Son of the Living God, and we worship our God through our service to God’s creation.