In preparing to write an article regarding the history of Ashland Church of Christ, one thing became very apparent to me. I would need to do a good bit of research. Therefore, I did the obvious thing – I started going through our secretary’s file cabinet. Within a few minutes, I stumbled upon a veritable gold mine of information, pictures, & a booklet called Ashland Church of Christ – 100^th Anniversary – 1892-1992. All of the work that I had planned on doing had already been done. So . . . I decided to take a different route, even though I am still going to start by sharing the history of the Ashland Church of Christ with you.

The Ashland Church of Christ began as a vision in the hearts and minds of several people who met in the home of J. D. Turner to discuss the possibilities of organizing a Church of Christ in Ashland. Among those present at the December 22, 1891, meeting were Mr. & Mrs. J. P. Grogan, Mr. & Mrs. Imla Hewitt, Mrs. Ann Brooks, Mrs. V. C. Elmore, C. W. Bailey, & Charles Grogan. An evangelistic association, known as the Thirteen District Mission Board, said they would supply preachers for the new work if the people would supply a meeting place. Money was raised, a meeting place rented, and the first meeting of the Ashland Church of Christ was held in the old skating rink on night of Monday, January 4, 1892. Song books were donated to ACC by the Tallula Christian Church.

On Thursday, March 10, 1892, an evangelistic meeting was begun. It was led by Brother G. W. Pearl, state evangelist. The results of the revival were so encouraging that the Church was organized and Brother Ernest Johnston was called to serve as the first minister of Ashland Church of Christ. A year later, Bro. Johnston was followed Mr. George W. Hughes. Then, the congregation began to make definite plans for the building of a place of worship and Bible study. Money was subscribed, a piece of land was donated by Mr. William Redding, and construction began.

On Sunday, July 29, 1894, the first building to house the Ashland Church of Christ was dedicated to the Lord’s work. The total cost of the facility was $4200. That building served the ministries of the Ashland Church of Christ very well until the wintry cold early morning of Thursday, March 8, 1956. Many of the congregation’s members had to stand by helplessly and watch their house of worship be completely destroyed by fire. Yet, before the ashes cooled, the elders and deacons met, and by unanimous consent, they set out to build a larger and better building. By Sunday, July 22, 1956, the basement of the current building was sufficiently completed so that worship services could be held there for the first time. On Sunday, November 25, 1956, the completed structure was dedicated to the Lord’s work of worship, education, personal consecration, evangelism, & service. The cost of the current auditorium was approximately $60,000.

God continued to bless Ashland Church of Christ with spiritual and numerical growth. The classrooms became crowded, and more room was needed. On Wednesday, December 15, 1965, ground was broken for the education wing addition. Once built, the structure was dedicated to the Lord’s work, Sunday, June 26, 1966. The approximate cost of the project was $45,000. Other improvements were made to the existing properties at the same time, which cost about an additional $5000. Since then, several interior improvements have been made in this structure, they include Fellowship Hall renovations to establish Noah's Ark Christian Preschool & Day Care, Auditorium renovations to provide a more open and bright worship atmosphere, Office renovations, Nursery renovations, Bathroom & Classroom redecorating, & much more. The Lord has provided the Ashland Church of Christ with a fine facility in which to worship, fellowship, learn, serve, & reach out to others. Yet, it is not the focal point of the ministry of this Church.

Information such as this is rich, and valuable for a Church to reflect upon. However, Ashland Church of Christ has always been certain to view the Church as people, NOT as a building. Jesus did not come into this world to build buildings, He came into this world to rebuild people’s lives. Jesus did not die to save buildings, He died to rescue people from the devastation of their sin. Therefore, we must ask the question, "What do these buildings mean?"

Well, I believe they mean the same thing some stones meant in Joshua 4, where some people thought others might ask the question, "What do these stones mean?" Therefore, I would answer the same way Joshua did on that occasion: "The Lord did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God."

These buildings, and all future buildings, of the Ashland Church of Christ stand as testimonies to God’s faithfulness and provision for His children, regardless of circumstances.