Christ Church Presbyterian | Through the years

Christ Church Presbyterian, 1933 Canfield Road, Youngstown, is celebrating its 65th anniversary with a series of events that began Oct. 23 with a worship service that ended with release of balloons. Postcards from church members were attached and members hope to see some returned. Other events have been a craft show and bake sale Oct. 29, a service in the chapel Nov. 6, Youngstown Connection entertaining and hosting fundraiser Nov. 13 and this Sunday, a luncheon after worship at 11 a.m.

The beginning: The first worship service at Christ Church was Nov. 4, 1951. Rev. Paul Coleman had spent the previous summer and fall canvassing the streets around the church. At that time, the area near Canfield and Hopkins roads consisted of newly built neighborhoods, filled with World War II veterans and their families. When the sanctuary was dedicated in February 1952, the congregation included 177 charter members.

Membership: Over the next decades the congregation grew, reaching almost 800 when the new sanctuary was dedicated in 1961, and peaking at 1,422 in 1972.

Ministers: The church has had only four ministers in its history: the Rev. Mr. Coleman, 1951-86; the Rev. Bob Offerdahl, 1987-2006; the Rev. Benjamin Graves, 2009-15; and the Rev. Mark Thompson, 2015 to present. Christ Church and Wickliffe Presbyterian are now yoked; the Rev. Mr. Thompson is part time at both.

Community outreach: Women’s Organization provides funds to several mission events within the church, and Lydia Circle sews quilts for charities including Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. The church continues a tradition of being tied to its neighborhood and to the city. There is a free breakfast on the last Saturday of every month with the menu varying, depending upon which volunteer crew is serving. The church hosts several AA groups, a TOPS group and a recovery group composed exclusively of women. The church houses The Youngstown Connection, with the only cost being that the Connection occasionally performs for the congregation during worship.