West Side Christian Church, serving the community since 1933
Published 8:30 am Friday, April 19, 2019
BY GREG MILLER
STAR Correspondent
West Side Christian Church, an independent Christian congregation, was begun in 1933, according to Mr. Greg Key, the church’s minister.
Key says West Side Christian Church started in a private home on Garden Road. “J.J. Musick, minister of First Christian Church in Elizabethton, held a four-week revival service that began in January of 1922,” Key said. “Twelve individuals made the good confession of faith and were baptized at First Christian at the end of the revival services on Sunday evening Feb. 5. With 10 transfers, the charter membership was 22. The church organized as Second Christian Church of Elizabethton. J.H. Bingham was elected the first minister.
“In May of 1933 two lots were purchased on West G Street, and construction began immediately. When the congregation moved in, the name was changed to West End Church of Christ and later to West Side Christian Church.”
In September of 1941, Key says, “there was an extensive remodeling of the original building. In 1948 it was enlarged. In 1962, a new building was constructed. Sadly, one year later, the original building was destroyed by fire.”
West Side Christian Church celebrated its 85th anniversary last year.
The most important aspect of a local church’s ministry in today’s society, according to Key, is “telling the world the good news about Jesus.”
Key stresses the importance of a local church bringing change to its community. “Jesus said we are to be salt and light to the world,” Key said. “That means we will be change agents. We make those changes.”
Key and his wife, Mary Anne, have a son, Jacob, and a daughter, Sarah Wiklund, both of whom graduated from Elizabethton High School. Wiklund, a midwife, and her husband, Thomas, live in Knoxville. Jacob Key also works and lives in Knoxville.
Before accepting the position as the minister at West Side Christian, Key served as an interim youth minister in Louisville, Ky.; a youth minister in Boone, N.C.; and as a minister in Shady Valley.
Key says he grew up attending church. “My mother sang in the choir and often taught a children’s class,” he recalled. “Early in my teens I realized I needed to make a decision for myself about what I believed, and at the invitation one Sunday night I went forward. I’ve never turned back.”
Key describes his preaching style. “I prefer preaching in a series based on a book of the Bible,” he said. “At times I’ll have three points, but not always. And I never title my sermons. I would describe my sermons as being more conversational.”
Key says the Parable of the Prodigal Son is his favorite Bible passage on which to preach. “I was told preachers should preach from this parable once a year,” he said. “I don’t follow that advice, but I preach from it often. This short story is such a classic. It contains almost everything the lost (and saved) need to hear from a gospel passage.”
Key says his favorite Bible character about whom to study is King David. “God called David a man after his own heart,” Key observed. “All kings after him were compared to him. So he was a role model to follow. However, he was far from perfect. David made mistakes and he sinned (sometimes deliberately). Yet when confronted with his sin he would repent and turn to God. David is an example that even when we fail, God is forgiving and will restore us if we will return to him.”
For Key, the gospel of salvation is the easiest doctrine about which to preach. “It’s what our faith is all about,” Key said. “Jesus died on the cross for our sins that we might have forgiveness and eternal life.”
If given an opportunity, Key would like to return to Jamaica to preach. “I spent two weeks in Jamaica on a mission trip,” he said. “During the 14 days, I preached 13 times, including a funeral. I would like to return but have not had an opportunity. In the churches I visited it was encouraging to see the sincerity of their faith. There are some practices I especially appreciated. The congregations were very prayerful before the services started. They welcomed each other as they came in the door, but after they sat down they bowed in prayer to prepare themselves for worship before the service began. I also enjoyed the lively music. Many of the members brought some kind of instrument (maracas or tambourine) and played along as we sang.”
Worship opportunities include Sunday school, Sunday, 10 a.m., worship, Sunday, 10:45 a.m., Bible study and youth programs, Sunday, 6 p.m., and midweek worship and youth programs, Wednesday, 7 p.m. Additional opportunities and activities include choir practice, Wednesdays, 6 p.m.; and women’s circles that meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. (Lydia Circle), followed by a “pitch-in lunch,” and 7 p.m. (Verna Circle). The church hosts a fellowship meal on the first Sunday of each month in the fellowship hall at 6 p.m. in lieu of the evening worship service. Men of the church participate in the Carter County Christian Men’s Fellowship, which meets on the third Tuesday of each month at various churches in the county. The men meet in the church parking lot at 6:30 p.m. to carpool.
The “Get to Know Us” section of the website answers several questions which potential visitors may be interested in knowing.
What Should I Expect? “We would love to have you join us. Our Sunday service is at 10:45 a.m. Here’s what you can expect. We begin with announcements and a time of prayer. Feel free to share prayer concerns. Our worship in song is with traditional hymns. Communion is an important part of our weekly services. We practice open communion, which means that all followers of Jesus Christ are invited to partake regardless of church background. If you are not yet ready to participate in communion, simply pass the tray. Following communion we collect tithes and offerings.
“Our goal is to help connect people to Jesus Christ. It is our desire to welcome you into our church where you will encounter God, make you feel comfortable as friends, where you grow with each other and serve one another.”
What Should I Wear? “West Side Christian Church is a casual church. On any given Sunday, you will see people in jeans and T-shirts to sports coats, dress shoes to flip-flops. We want you to wear what’s comfortable for you.”
What About My kids? “On the first Sunday of each month, children (K-fifth grade) worship with their family. On the other Sundays they worship in service designed for them in Primary Worship. We also offer a nursery and preschool class.”
Michael Rice is the youth minister at West Side Christian Church. Helen Curtis is the church’s administrative assistant.
West Side Christian Church is located at 1307 W. G St., Elizabethton. The church office is open Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, visit the website, https://wscchurch.wixsite.com/westside, e-mail wscchurch@gmail.com, or call (423) 542-4532.